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“Force Friday” brings Star Wars fans to stores overnight

Posted at 9:16 AM, Sep 04, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-04 16:56:35-04

A galactic celebration is commencing:Force Friday is here.

Like Black Friday for "Star Wars" aficionados, Friday will see several new products hitting stores, many based around "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," out December 18.

Since the original film's release in the late 1970s, "Star Wars" has been as much about merchandising as about the movies themselves (as Mel Brooks famously noted).

And once again, Lucasfilm, Disney and their many partners will prove that the Force is with "Star Wars" products. Some new toys, products and gadgets were kept secret until 12:01 a.m. on Force Friday, and devotees lined up for a first look.

In West Michigan, Meijer stores held Midnight Madness events at 12 stores.  Between Noon and 5:00pm today, fans can visit Taste of the Galaxy food stations at all Meijer stores.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the new action figures," said Steve Sansweet, an authority on "Star Wars" merchandise and the Guinness record-holder with 300,000 items. "I want to see a bearded Luke Skywalker and an old Han Solo."

There's something for just about anyone with even a passing interest in that galaxy far, far away.