Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Cavendish is getting a very special display. The original lightsaber used by Luke Skywalker\u2122, played by Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back\u2122 will be in Cavendish for a limited time this June.<\/p>\n
Believe it or not, this lightsaber was constructed from a vintage 1930s Graflex camera flash gun. The handle still has the original Graflex logo etched into it. It comes from the archives of Gary Kurtz, the producer on the first two Star Wars films.<\/p>\n
Edward Meyer, VP of Exhibits & Archives for Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not! acquired the piece at the Profiles in History Hollywood Auction on June 28, 2017, for a staggering $450,000!<\/p>\n
\u201cLuke Skywalker\u2019s original lightsaber is the crown jewel in our Hollywood memorabilia collection. It is the most important and famous movie prop of all time,\u201d says Meyer.<\/p>\n
The lightsaber will be displayed at Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not! Odditorium located at Mariner\u2019s Cove Boardwalk in Cavendish for a limited time. The exhibit will be open to the public starting on Wednesday, June 13 and will run through to Monday, July 2.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely lucky to be able to bring this piece of Star Wars memorabilia to the Maritimes,\u201d says Matthew Jelley, President of Maritime Fun Group-PEI, the company that operates the Cavendish Odditorium. \u201cWe are looking forward to sharing it with our fellow Star Wars fans!\u201d<\/p>\n
The public is invited to view Luke Skywalker\u2019s lightsaber during those two weeks. Ripley\u2019s will also be hosting a special event on Saturday, June 23, for customers who show up in their Star Wars costume on June 23 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm to receive a special treat!<\/p>\n
MEDIA CONTACT<\/strong> Jessica Caseley About Ripley Entertainment<\/strong>
\nSuzanne Smagala-Potts Public Relations Manager Ripley Entertainment smagala@ripleys.com<\/a>
\nOffice: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136<\/p>\n
\nVP- Marketing, Sales and Community Engagement Maritime Fun Group \u2013 PEI jessica@maritimefun.com<\/a>
\n902-963-3939 ext 258<\/p>\n
\nRipley\u2019s Believe It or Not! is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com<\/a>) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 14 million people visit its 100- plus attractions in 11 countries each year. In addition to its 30 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in countries around the world.
\nRipley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada.<\/p>\n