The Star Wars universe is about fans, after all. Our convention partners, Wizards of the Coast, which runs the Official Star Wars Fan Club, set aside a special area at Celebration II for qualifying fan groups. In rooms 208 & 209, clubs will display and communicate information about their unique niche in fandom.

Congratulations to these exceptional fan clubs and organizations, who will be staffing booths throughout Celebration II at the Indiana Convention Center May 3-5, sharing with us what Star Wars fandom and community is all about:

"Loyal? Hard-working? Fully expendable? The Empire Wants You!" So reads the recruitment posters for the 501st Legion.

The 501st is probably the most widely-recognized Star Wars fan club going. Referring to themselves as "the premiere Star Wars costuming fan club," members dress in hand-crafted, but incredibly precise, Imperial costumes. Most of the club's more-than-800 members march as stormtroopers, but they also wear biker scout, snowtrooper, bounty hunter, and Imperial officer uniforms.

Their public appearances are many, but the 501st is not content to simply parade at fan conventions. Members of the group visit children's hospitals, and help with fundraisers and charity events. At Celebration II the 501st will volunteer, providing security 'against Rebel sympathizers.'

At the 501st's Celebration II table you can learn how to join the club (those who show up in costume are automatically enrolled). Pick up flyers and information cards

The 501st will be working alongside its affiliated costuming group, The Rebel Legion. The Legion's 'mission statement' is to "engage in costuming in the spirit of fan fellowship and spread Star Wars costuming into the mundane Universe."

Portraying characters as varied as Mon Mothma, Hoth Rebel troopers, Jedi, and 'non-Imperial' aliens, the Rebel Legion appears at conventions, charities, children's hospitals, and has been active raising money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The Rebels claim they remain in character while in costume. You can pick up flyers and business cards at their table, and view the homemade props that help round out their costumes. The members plan to showcase the do-it-yourself attitude that leads them to create their exceptional costumes. If you want to join The Rebel Legion, you'll need a Rebel costume, and wish to be included "in a club that celebrates the diversity yet good-guy aspect of the movies."

From Bricks to Bothans aims to "enlighten and entertain fans of the LEGOŽ Star Wars toys," and will feature an open construction area of LEGOŽ bricks where fans can build and play.

According to their club resume for Celebration II, Bricks to Bothans strives to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere on their web site. They have more than 300 members registered in over a dozen countries.

Celebration II attendees visiting the Bricks to Bothans fan club area will also be treated to a life-sized Boba Fett, made by LEGOŽ bricks donated by the fans and members of the group. There will be displays of custom-built dioramas and models, a display of the over 60 Star Wars LEGOŽ sets made to date, and even more.

Members of the Bricks to Bothans group will host a free random drawing for LEGOŽ sets, and will have information and other give-aways at their table.

The Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society (PSWCS) offers an e-mail list, website, and monthly meetings to help their membership stay in touch, and share their love of Star Wars collecting.

PSWCS not only helps their members enjoy their Star Wars collecting hobby, they also plan social events and club trips to toy shops across the state. They collect toys and donate them to local children's hospital wards.

Stop by the PSWCS area in the fan club room at Celebration II to see their displays of the various aspects of Star Wars collecting. The club will share information, flyers, and cards. You'll see their portfolios of custom figures and member-created items, too.

The Chicago Force formed in 1999 when fans were organizing the area line-up for The Phantom Menace. Since then, they have "grown into a group of friends dedicated to organizing area activities for Star Wars and sci-fi fans of all stripes."

Force members have organized a great many social functions, from bowling to discussions of John Williams' music, to BBQs, but have also devoted considerable time to charitable organizations. As a club they participated in the Chicago Hunger Walk and donated toys to the Salvation Army gift drive. They are currently planning their Episode II Charity Drive.

The Chicago Force will emphasize interaction with other clubs at their Celebration II table. They will share their 'handbook' on starting a local Star Wars club, and will also distribute schedules of upcoming club events.

The Ohio Star Wars Collectors' Club is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and is enthusiastic about sharing that anniversary with other friends in the Star Wars community at Celebration II. In their words, "We look forward to sharing our club's sense of unity and fun with Star Wars fans and collectors from around the world."

The club's main goals are to facilitate communication among Star Wars collectors in Ohio, and createa friendly buying, selling, and trading environment. They participate in statewide socials, in museum trips, and in annual collection drives for Toys for Tots.

When you visit the Ohio Star Wars Collectors' Club table, you will see pieces from the members' own collections. Ask them questions about their particular area of collecting expertise, pick up some pointers, and a take a flyer with information on their meetings and their focus.

StarWarsFan.org started out, surprisingly enough, as a Star Wars club dedicated to communicating through "snail mail" and newsletters. Now, the group is a popular fan siteon the Internet.

"Ultimately, we strive to bring fans together from all over the world around a common and exciting interest: the Star Wars saga," says the StarWarsFan.org information letter. Rather than focus on the latest news and rumors, the club encourages discussion of all aspects of Star Wars fandom, including the films, the Expanded Universe books and games, Star Wars humor and collectibles.

In keeping with their priorities, StarWarsFan.org will be coordinating gatherings for fans in Indianapolis. They will give away flyers and promotional items at their table, but will focus on fans meeting fans, enjoying their mutual love of the Star Wars universe.

The Indy Knights (Hoosier Daddy, Luke?) could be considered the unofficial host fan club of Star Wars Celebration II. Members of the local fan club will be volunteering in many aspects of the convention, before, during, and even after the events.

The Knights started out as a group of posters on the Star Wars fan web site, TheForce.net, and met during that site's campaign to bring Star Wars fans together within their own cities. Since then, the club has grown to a busy, active organization with "special interest" groups that include a Book Club; Indy Knight and Magic (props and costumes); Sith Council (collecting); Cantina Rogues (roleplaying); Fan Creations (creative writing and art); and Figure Customizing and Dioramas. They are involved in local fund-raisers and charity events, as well as conventions and festivals.

The Knights plan drawings for give-aways each day of Celebration II at their fan club table. Their table will also serve as a command central for their many members involved in the convention.

Visit the official Wizards of the Coast Star Wars Celebration II site to register for three spectacular days of Star Wars fun in Indianapolis, and learn the details on programs, guests, displays, and special events.