Cleveleys, a seaside town near Blackpool in the United Kingdom, has become an unlikely pilgrimage site for Star Wars fans. The town, specifically its promenade and nearby bus station, served as a filming location for the Star Wars prequel series "Andor." Since the production wrapped, the site has transformed into an annual gathering spot for hundreds of fans.
The movement began with local enthusiasts Jessica Monger and Neil Trickett. Monger, who has lived in the UK for over 15 years, found it serendipitous that a significant Star Wars filming location was so close to her home. "Since the film crews left, the location has become a magnet for fans thanks to Monger and her fellow Blackpool-based fan Neil Trickett," the BBC reported. Trickett, 41, connected with Monger via social media, and the pair quickly organized a public event.
Four years after their initial efforts, the annual event attracts devotees from across the UK and even as far as eastern Europe. Attendees come together to meet like-minded fans, take photos with costumed characters, purchase merchandise, and discuss all aspects of the Star Wars universe.
The Cleveleys promenade features a mural and a plaque commemorating the filming, turning the ordinary seaside into a tangible connection to the galaxy far, far away. Fans often arrive in elaborate costumes, with Stormtroopers and other iconic characters frequently seen posing for pictures along the beach.
Monger expressed her enthusiasm for the event's success, noting the global appeal of the Star Wars franchise. "Star Wars is just all over the place, especially where I grew up," she stated. The gathering in Cleveleys celebrates this shared passion, offering a unique space for fans to immerse themselves in their favorite saga.