Each year on the first full weekend in May, Swainsboro and Emanuel County come alive as they
host the annual Pine Tree Festival. This year, Pine Tree Festival Saturday falls on a unique date –
May 4 th .

What’s special about May 4 th, you ask? Over the years, May 4 th has grown to become known as
“Star Wars Day,” in a play on a phrase made popular in Star Wars movies. The line “may the
force be with you,” which can be heard throughout the movie franchise, has been adapted to
“May the 4th be with you,” and thus, May 4 th has become known as “Star Wars Day.”

The fact that the town’s largest event will be held on Star Wars Day is not lost on organizers of
the Pine Tree Festival. Instead, the festival committee has embraced the phenomenon by
adopting a fitting theme and slogan for this year’s event: May the Forest Be with You. And to
further expand on this unique opportunity, five iconic characters from the Star Wars franchise
will be joining the celebration.

Pine Tree Festival attendees will have the chance to meet and take photos with their favorite
Star Wars characters from both the Jedi Alliance and the Dark Side including Chewbacca,
Princess Leia, R2D2, Darth Vader, and a Storm Trooper. The meet and greet is free of charge
and will take place on the Square, in front of the Chamber of Commerce, beginning after the
parade on Saturday.