The world of Star Wars

Over the weekend, more than 30,000 stormtroopers, Princess Leias and Darth Vaders flooded Essen’s convention center for the three-day Star Wars Celebration. It was only the second time the event has been held in Europe. Fan who forgot a costume could purchase one of these hand-made stormtrooper helmets for 450 euros. An entire stormtrooper set of armor takes three days to create.

This scary looking stormtrooper isn't skirting his parental duties, but is escorting the next generation of fans around the festival. Is there a little Lord Vader inside?

Fans from all over the world came to Essen in north-western Germany for the Star Wars Celebration. Even the "Bavarian Battalion" reported for duty.

The so-called Rebel Legion, pictured here, is quite international, with members from Europe, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the US attending the event. The French contingent alone numbered 30 members.

At the coat and weapon check, all realistic looking devices were carefully tagged after inspection.

On the big celebration stage, actors Warwick Davis and Carrie Fisher reenacted the first scene when their characters - Wicket and Princess Leia - met in the film "Return of the Jedi."

Doug Chiang, design director for Episodes I and II, offered drawing lessons. Chiang's specialty is creating droids like the beloved can-on-wheels, R2-D2.

Lego has long made Star Wars themed pieces and here fans could recreate their favorite classic scenes from the films with the tiny colored blocks.

Star Wars Celebrations are held about every two years, though the timeline is often changed to match major anniversaries. This year's celebration commemorated the 30th anniversary of "Return of the Jedi."

More than a dozen Lucasfilm-approved tattoo artists were on site to offer fans the Yoda tattoo they've always dreamed of.

For his R2-D2, Eric from Paris used a steel bowl from Ikea and a coke bottle for the lens. He also assembled a tiny projector inside his droid’s dome to authentically project Princess Leia’s hologram calling for Obi-Wan.

As a member of the Star Wars Club UK, Simon tracked down the workshop and materials that originally produced robot CP3O’s costume to create an exact replica of his own.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy (center) made her inaugural Star Wars Celebration appearance in Essen. She announced to eager fans that legendary composer John Williams would be returning to score the upcoming Star Wars VII, slated for release in 2015 - the same year the next Star Wars Celebration event is slated to be held in Anaheim, California.