May The Fourth Be With You (Star Wars Day)
Monday, May 4, 2026 at 5 PM
May the 4th is special to Modesto USA. Every Modestan should feel special knowing that the most successful movie franchise ever, came from the mind of Modesto native George Lucas. The ModestoView team rallied the City of Modesto to issue the first official city proclamation that designated May the 4th as a commemorative day.
Celebrated on May the 4th, ModestoView, (and hopefully Visit Modesto) SPWG, Collins Electric, and Assemblyman Obi Juan Alanis will be celebrating in 10th St Plaza from 5- 9 pm. This is a free family event featuring droids, stand ups, photo ops, cosplay, X wing fighter, Millennium Falcon cockpit, face painting, vendors and more.
Special this year will the return of the life size Tie Fighter. This huge spaceship will allow visitors to sit in the cockpit thanks to our friends at Gemperle Farms. Andrew Nelson, who spent more time in the Darth Vader suit than any other actor, and David Gonzales, who portrayed Ak-Rev in the 1997 special edition of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi are scheduled to join
Don’t miss a special meet and greet with Grogu (aka Baby Yoda). There will be a special Death Star Pinata and music from Modesto’s Star Wars band Horizon Point and more special guests and awards to be announced. Horizon Point will perform their full Jedi show in the Plaza, complete with musical interludes from the movies, throughout the event.
The highlight of the evening is the block long lightsaber battle at dusk. Following the battle, the Brenden will be showing Space Balls at 9 pm. Guest are encouraged to dress as their favorite character and bring their lightsabers.
12:00 Street Closure
5:00 pm Start
5:30 pm Reading of the Proclamation and Introduction with Chris Murphy and Assemblyman Obi Juan Alanis and any other Special Guests
6:00 pm Death Star Pinata
6:30 pm Get your pictures with Din Grogu aka Baby Yoda
approx 8:30 pm Light Saber Battle in the Plaza