FORT KNOX, Ky. — A very special Star Wars Reads Day will return to Barr Memorial Library Oct. 15.

Lace up your rebel bootstraps and get ready to take on the Empire at Barr Memorial Library’s Star Wars Reads Day event Oct. 15, 2022.

The Saturday event kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Kessel Run 5K, sponsored by Fort Knox Sports & Fitness. Named after the famous smuggler’s run that Han Solo claimed to have finished in under 12 parsecs, the family friendly event will begin and end at the Library.

Cost to enter is $20 for participants 13 years and older; $15 for ages 5–12; children under 5 participate for free. Registrants will receive an exclusive Kessel Run 5K T-shirt. Shirts for children under 5 are $10 each.

Visit www.knox.armymwr.com to register or call Fort Knox ITR Leisure Travel at 502-624-5030.

At 11 a.m., following the race, readers will get the chance to visit the forest moon of Endor. A life-size replica of the front of an Imperial bunker will serve as the backdrop for young rebels to climb aboard some screen-accurate, fan-built Return of the Jedi speeder bikes. These replicas will feature light and sound, giving younglings the feeling of whizzing across the moon’s surface.

After the 5K parsec run, patrons young and old will get the opportunity to enter Endor, a life-size replica of the forest moon in Return of the Jedi. They will also be able to hop on two speeder bikes and capture the moment with a camera.

The highlight of the day will be a special, Return of the Jedi-themed “The Empire Strikes Barr” meet-and-greet with members of both the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion.

The Imperials and Rebels have been “striking Barr” at the Library’s annual event since 2015. These volunteers, from the Bluegrass Garrison and Fulcrum Base, will amaze young and old with screen-accurate Star Wars saga costumes and accessories.

Families are encouraged to get their picture taken with members of the Empire, the Rebellion, and other members from a galaxy far, far away who may appear.

There is no cost for either the Endor setting photographs or photo ops with characters.

A feature of the day will be an action figure display called “Celebrate the Love,” a collection of vintage Kenner and custom Star Wars figures. The event will be the public’s last chance to see the action figures.

The day will also be the last opportunity for patrons to see “Celebrate the Love,” a collection of vintage Kenner and custom Star Wars action figures.

The exhibit, on display now, echoes the Return of the Jedi theme. Some of Kenner’s original action figures, vehicles, and playsets were created for the famous toy line in the early 1980s. These originals are featured alongside custom-made figures, “kit-bashed” in the style of how the original figures were designed. The one-of-a-kind custom creations are of characters that Kenner never produced in the original toy line or variations of Kenner’s work, including alternate versions of The Emperor and Lando Calrissian.

There is also a custom-built redesign of the original Kenner Death Star Playset, a version featuring the Emperor’s throne room. The exhibit will be open during regular library hours.

May the Force be with you on this special Star Wars Reads Day at Barr. For more information, call the Library at 502-624-1232.