Leia Organa might have never became a Jedi knight, but Star Wars fans across the country honored Carrie Fisher with multiple sendoffs worthy of the Force-strong leader she was.
Tributes for Fisher, who died on Tuesday at age 60, have poured in ever since the news broke, with fans channeling their grief in fanart, turning to her movies and books for comfort, creating a makeshift Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and one fan even named his new daughter after Leia. The theater chain Alamo Drafthouse planned a lightsaber vigil for the fallen general and princess at one of its theaters in Austin, Texas. It encouraged fans to bring their lightsabers and dress up like their favorite Star Wars character—the event welcomed “fellow Wookiees, Bounty Hunters, Ewoks, and Stormtroopers”—and those who didn’t have lightsabers brought flashlights and glow sticks instead.
Our Lightsaber Vigil for @carrieffisher starts at 6:30pm at South Lamar. Parking will be tight, so ridesharing/biking is recommended. pic.twitter.com/3DuCiBvws3
— Alamo Drafthouse ATX (@drafthouse) December 28, 2016
On Wednesday night, lightsabers of all kinds lit up the sky as hundreds of Star Wars fans gathered in tribute to Fisher.
Heather Kennedy (Licensed, Used With Permission)
Heather Kennedy (Licensed, Used With Permission)
Heather Kennedy (Licensed, Used With Permission)
Heather Kennedy (Licensed, Used With Permission)
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Star Wars fans held a Lightsaber vigil in honor of Carrie Fisher at Downtown Disney. pic.twitter.com/9YRsuRueMz
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) December 29, 2016
There was a light saber vigil for #CarrieFisher at the #Disneyland Resort in Downtown Disney this evening… pic.twitter.com/06BuOk2pYg
— Find The Mouse (@FindTMouse) December 29, 2016
Carrie Fishers Vigil Was Heartbreaking But Also Comforting. Rest Well Angel ♡#RIPCarrieFisher pic.twitter.com/isLHW1TeCw
— CinnaMaci ♡ (@Myuhhh_) December 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/tonytt25/status/814312160981610496
Lighting up the night at DowntownDisney for Carrie Fisher pic.twitter.com/jsALOnBUql
— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) December 29, 2016
It got pretty emotional when Leia's theme started playing in @DisneylandDTD & the sabers ignited to bid farewell to Carrie Fisher pic.twitter.com/oeuAcLT30b
— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) December 29, 2016
The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver held its own vigil for Fisher, fittingly held in front of one of the Rebellion’s X-wings.
Carrie Fisher vigil happening now. #RIPCarrie pic.twitter.com/DSer0TBgMC
— Wings Museum (@wingsmuseum) December 29, 2016
Tributes to Fisher and her life’s work will continue for the rest of the week and into the weekend.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton, Colorado, and the Mason Park and Lubbock locations in Houston will both host their own lightsaber vigils Friday night while the Blue Ribbon Army Social Club, a pop culture group based in Phoenix, will hold a Memorial Saber Walk Friday night. Alamo Drafthouses will host a number of memorial screenings of Fisher’s non-Star Wars work over the weekend, including When Harry Met Sally, The Burbs, and a free memorial screening of The Blues Brothers in San Antonio and New Braunfels, Texas, with a $5 food voucher and they will be collecting donations to the nonprofit DBSA San Antonio, a support group for people with mental disorders.
H/T Huffington Post