Star Wars movie line all the way to Common Grounds awaiting 12:01 a.m.
8:37 P.M. SHANNON THEATRE, MAIN STREET - Harrison Ford wasn’t standing in line, but Leah was there. (Leah Conley, not Princess Leah.)
So was a force of fans awaiting the one-minute after midnight premier of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
The CNB time-temp read 37 degrees as people bundled and huddled up all the way from the Shannon Theatre to Common Grounds, patiently killing time until ticket sales start at 11:30 p.m.
The first two to arrive in line were the brother-sister team of Josiah and Leah Conley. They arrived at 5:30 p.m. Josiah is junior at Bluffton University. Leah is a sophomore at Bluffton High School.
With them, in a circle of lawn chairs, discarded food containers, blankets and playing cards were Nathan Diller, Timothy Huber, Ashley Michel and James Siverling.
Behind them stood dozens and dozens of Star War fans who arrived from 5:40 p.m. on - Zachary Basinger was number three in line - into the evening to be one of the 275 to buy tickets to the premier.
Talking with Josiah and Leah, The Icon learned that Josiah has probably watched Star War movies “at least 20 times.” For Leah, that number falls somewhere between 10 to 15.
Here’s some other answers the Conleys provided to the Icon’s questioning about their fascination with this movie series:
What’s your favorite Star War’s line?
After a brief consultation, the two agreed it was Yoda’s quote from “The Empire Strikes Back:” “Do or do not. There is no try.” Neither brother nor sister were born when than now-famous statement blurted from the silver screen.
Where will you sit in the theatre?
Josiah: Mid-section.
Leah: Left front side, with my feet in the aisle.
Do you know how this movie will end?
Josiah and Leah both said they’ve stayed off the Internet on purpose and, “We really don’t know what to expect.”
What movie premier would one of your younger siblings be first in line to see?
After another brief consult, it was agreed that their sister Gracie, 8, would probably be first in line to watch the premier of “How to Train a Dragon, III.” (There are six Conley children.)
What’s the draw to this movie?
Josiah: Nostalgia. Adventure.
Are you looking forward to see Harrison Ford in the movie?
Josiah: Definitely. I predict 30 seconds of fan applause.
Finally, what snack will you buy to watch the movie?
Josiah: Probably the large tub.
Leah: I’m good. I’ve been eating out here.
With that, we headed for a warm car, as a game of Euchre started. It was not yet 9 p.m.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
- Mennonite Home Communities provide backup phone numbers during outage
- Pirate volleyball wins in four vs. Elmwood
- Howard Thornsberry worked in the produce industry
- Pirate girls soccer silenced by Bath
- Pirate boys soccer nipped by Liberty-Benton
- September 11 Bluffton High School athletics lineup, streaming
- Sept. 12 Open Doors offers sneak peek at future Bluffton museum space
- Innovation Forum challenges leaders to think deeper about AI
- Invitation to Sept 15 Bluffton Lions program with Dr. William H. Kose
- Deer archery hunting begins Sept. 12 in Disease Surveillance Area
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Women in Business program with Positive Nutrition
- It's time for Fall Storytime at the Bluffton Public Library
- Pirate girls golf win vs. Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys golf splits NWC tri
- Bluffton PTO is collecting Community Markets receipts
- Richland Twp. trustees hire mower and Zoning Inspector
- Schumacher Homestead plans a farm full of Fall Fest activities
- Hindsight is 20/20: Recent reports for RSV, flu, and COVID-19
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Darrell Lee Diller, 92, managed a farming business
- Bluffton alumni will discuss pathways to chaplaincy
- Beaverdam cleanup day is Sept. 12
- Pirate boys golf 3rd at NWC quad
- Pirate volleyball outlasts Arlington
- Pirate girls soccer blanks Crestview
- Pirate boys soccer tie vs. Kalida
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- Maple Grove Cemetery records now online