The Force is strong this weekend with the commencement of Star Wars Fan Days congregating at the new Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. Guests attending the event include Billy Dee Williams, voice actors from Cartoon Network’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars, George Takei (yes, of Star Trek but he did voicework for Clone Wars),  and media guests Julie Benz and Clare Kramer of Whedon-fame.

Check out the details and official press release from Official Pix by C2 Ventures:

The Star Wars Fan Days will be coming to the Irving Convention Center on Oct. 8 – 9, 2011 featuring a full weekend of artists, writers, publishers, actors, contest, workshops, and everything else Star Wars related.

Star Wars Fan Days (Fan Days) moves to its new home, the 275,000 square-foot Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, for the 4th annual show on Oct. 8 – 9. Celebrate everything Star Wars during this full weekend of artists, writers, publishers, actors, contests, workshops and more! Hundreds of tables filled with books, t-shirts, collectibles, posters and much more will transform the Irving Convention Center exhibit hall into the largest Star Wars Fan Days event since the convention’s debut in 2007.
Star Wars fans are in for a special treat at this year’s Fan Days. At least half a dozen of this year’s guests will offer free autographs, including Tom Kane, the narrator and voice of “Yoda” on the Cartoon Network’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Kane will sign Fan Days’ exclusive photos at no charge during the show.
“We have a large, dedicated following of Star Wars fans at our shows, and offering coveted signatures for free is just our way of saying, ‘Thanks!’ to our many customers,” said Ben Stevens, co-producer of the show he started in 1994.
Also signing autographs for free:
•   Stephen Stanton, the voice of “Tarkin” in the Clone Wars series
•   Star Wars book authors Timothy Zahn and Aaron Allston
•   Memorabilia collector and fan favorite Steve Sansweet
•   Kyle Newman (UPDATE: Kyle Newman has had to cancel) and Ernie Cline, director and writer, respectively, of the popular Fan Boys movie

Fan Days will feature a plethora of guests who helped create the Star Wars magic both on camera and behind the scenes. Topping the media guest list is actor Billy Dee Williams, best known among Star Wars fans for playing the roguish “Lando Calrissian” in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). In a career that spans more than 50 years, Williams has logged an impressive array of roles in such movies as Brian’s Song (1971), Lady Sings the Blues (1972) and Batman (1989).

Outside the Star Wars genre, Fan Days welcomes actors Julie Benz (Angel and Dexter) and Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Admission to Fan Days varies depending on level purchased. Tickets are available for purchase at the door on days of the event:
•   One-day General admission ($20): Admission for children ages 5-12 is $5 when accompanied by a paid adult; children’s passes are valid both event days.
Hours for the two-day show are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9. For more information, please visit the event website at http://www.scifiexpo.com/DCC/fandays.html.

About Irving, Texas

Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The city is home to 10,000+ companies, 50 Fortune 500 companies, and the world headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies.  For more information, visit the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau site at http://www.irvingtexas.com.

Breakdown of the details:

WHEN:
October 8th – 9th, 2011
Saturday 11:00AM – 6:00PM & Sunday 11:00AM – 4:00PM

WHERE:
Irving Convention Center
500 Los Colinas Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039

HOW MUCH:
1 day General Admission – $20.00
Kids 5-12 – $5.00 with paid adult (good both days)
Kids 4 and under – FREE
Priority Access & VIP Tickets also available
Parking is available on site and in nearby lots for $5.00
Shuttle service will be provided

All tickets available at the convention at 9:30am Saturday, October 8th!

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Meet STAR WARS actors!
• Meet comic artists and creators!
• Prop replica room by the R2 Builders Club
• Prop replica room by The Dented Helmet
• Exhibit room with 300+ exhibitor spaces!
• Costume contest with cool prizes!
• Private meet/greet dinner with with select guests!
• OfficialPix exclusives!
• Special photo opportunities!
• Saturday evening party auction

STAR WARS ARTISTS:

Spencer Brinkerhoff
Alex Bueschel
Matt Busch
Joe Corroney
Doug Cowan
Scott Harben
Robert Hendrickson
Gabe Hernandez
Tom Hodges
Randy Martinez
Mark McHaley (canceled)
Eddie Medina
Rhiannon Owens
Bill Pulkovski
Pamela Rambo
Chris Reiff
Lawrence Reynolds
Brian Rood
Jaime Snell
Jason Sobol
Cat Staggs (canceled)
Chris Trevas
Denise Vasquez
Russell Walks
Lin Zy

STAR WARS GUESTS:

David Acord (GH-7 Medical Droid, Sound Editor)
Aaron Allston (Author)
Dicky Beer (Barada, Stormtrooper, Bikerscout & Stunts)
Jon Berg (Model maker)
Ben Burtt (Sound Designer)
Ernie Cline (Writer)
Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano voice)
Alan Flyng (Imperial Officer, Stormtrooper)
Duncan Jenkins (Author)
Tom Kane (Yoda voice)
Jamie King (Aurra Sing voice) (canceled)
Gus Lopez (Author)
Jimmy Mac (Host of The ForceCast)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
Kyle Newman (Director) (canceled)
Meredith Salenger (Barriss Offee voice)
Steve Sansweet (Star Wars Ambassador)
Veronica Segura (Cordé)
Stephen Stanton (Captain Tarkin voice)
Catherine Taber (Padme Amidala voice)
George Takei (Lok Durd)
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
Matthew Wood (General Grievous)
Timothy Zahn (Author)

GUESTS OF HONOR:

Jim Steranko
Billy Dee Williams

MEDIA GUESTS:

Julie Benz (Saturday only)
Daryl Frazetti
Jamie King
Clare Kramer
Anne Lockhart
George Takei – pictured below

COMIC CREATERS:

Ben Dunn
Brian Denham

James O’Barr (canceled)
Cal Slayton
Chris Fulton
Dave Dorman
Greg Horn
Herb Trimpe
J. David Spurlock
Jason Adams
Jason Chalker
Joe Linsner
Kerry Gamill
Kez Wilson
Michael Champion
Rob Payne
Robert Luedke
Taylor Lymbery

For show schedule, click here.