Thursday, May 4, may be dedicated to “Star Wars” fans, but at University Place in Orem the Force will be sticking around for a grand celebration on Saturday.

The Star Wars Celebration begins at 7 p.m. at the Orchard Park on the north side of the University Place campus. Families and individuals are welcome to come and meet characters from the series. Kids will get to make their own (foam) lightsaber, attend Jedi training and attack a “Death Star” target.

A free screening of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” will start around 8:30 p.m. A blue milk and popcorn combo will be for sale by University Place’s Chat Chat Boba. The Star Wars Celebration will begin a summer full of free activities at the Orchard including:

• Utah County STEM Festival from 5-8 p.m. on June 1. Bring the family to learn about science, technology, engineering and math. There will be hands-on activities and experiments.
• Orem Chorale Spring Concert from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on June 2. Enjoy a night of music from Orem’s adult choral group.
• African Heritage Festival from 2-8 p.m. on June 3. A yearly tradition at University Place, the African Festival always kicks off with a parade around The Orchard, followed by live performances, food and vendors. This event is hosted by the Ngoma Y’ Africa Cultural Center of Provo.
• Oremfest — Orem Summer Night’s Dream at 7 p.m. on June 7. University Place hosts the storytelling portion of the festival in The Orchard. Bring a blanket or chair and listen to live music and storytelling by Sam Payne.
• Family Fun Night: Luau from 7-9 p.m. on June 12. Experience Pacific Island traditions and culture during this month’s Family Fun Night. Food will be available for purchase, lawn games will be available, or just sit back and be entertained by multiple performances.
• Guys Night Out from 6-8 p.m. on June 15. An evening of fun for the entire family dedicated to the guys. There will be a mechanical bull, rock wall, axe throwing and more.
• Outdoor Movie Nights starting at 8:30 p.m. on June 23, July 7, July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18. Bring a blanket and/or chair to get your spot. The summer movies include “The Sandlot,” “A Knights Tale,” “The Lion King,” “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” and “Sonic the Hedgehog.”
• American Folk Ensemble from 6-8 p.m. on June 24. As part of the Freedom Festival, the American Folk Ensemble (formerly Clog America) will perform American folk style music and dancing.
• Outdoor Concerts 6-8 p.m. on June 30, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11. Every other Friday starting on June 30, local bands sing both popular covers and original music. Bands include Flashback Brothers, 180 North and RALLY.
• European Cultural Festival, formerly Renaissance Day, from 6-9 p.m. on July 8. This summer’s European Cultural Festival will celebrate the food and culture from various regions of Europe, knights in full armor and live entertainment.
• Family Fun Night: Red, White & Blue from 6-8 p.m. on July 10. Food, fun and free entertainment for the entire family to celebrate America.
• Viva Peru Dance Festival from 1-9:30 p.m. on July 15. Come and experience the culture of Peru, with traditional food, dance and crafts. This event is hosted by Viva Peru Dance.
• Juniper Market will be held July 22 and Aug. 12. Come and shop for locally made, handcrafted jewelry, art, clothing, baked goods and more.
• Pioneer Day Celebration & Fireworks from 5-9:45 p.m. on July 24. There will be live music all evening, vendors, giveaways and friendly competition during a pie eating contest and stick-pull up contest. This year’s performers will be Michael Barrow & the Tourists and party band No Limits. The grand finale is a choreographed firework show with music.
• World Folkfest Community Dance from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 1. An extension of the World Folkfest, hosted in neighboring Springville, come and enjoy performing groups from around the world as they perform traditional dances.
• Family Fun Night: Retro Night from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 14. For the last Family Fun Night of the 2023 season, bring the family and step back in time with music from the 80s and 90s.
• Bolivian Festival from 3-9 p.m. on Aug. 26. Come and enjoy a parade celebrating Central and South American culture, along with other live performances, vendors and food.

All events are subject to change and weather.

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