Eleven-year-old Sam Blakely had a chance to practice his lightsaber battle skills with other Star Wars fans in Santa Barbara on Saturday.

His favorite film is Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

“The lightsabers are fun,” the Harding School student said.

The Santa Barbara Central Library hosted a free, two-hour event in honor of National Star Wars Day, May 4. The day’s festivities are based on the popular catchphrase from the film series, “May the Force be with you.”

There were selfie opportunities with multiple Star Wars characters, attendees could build light-up lightsabers, play games, make crafts and participate in other themed activities. The free gathering drew more than 120 residents to the library’s Faulkner Gallery.

“Kids are posing with Kylo Ren,” said Lisa Gonzalez, senior library technician. “Of course, they can go downstairs and check out their favorite Star Wars book.”

Gonzalez, who has been working at the Santa Barbara library for six years, was rocking a Princess Leia hairstyle and white-colored outfit.

Santa Barbara resident Susan Schechter was there with her two children and a friend. She and her sons often visit the library and attend its special events.

“They almost always have something that each of my boys gravitates to, which is nice,” she said of the library’s activities. “They have something for the cerebral guy and for the arts guy. There’s something for everyone.”

Schechter’s son, 9-year old Milo Walp, was learning to repair the Millennium Falcon at the event.

Milo said he also enjoyed making a lightsaber.

“We are saving the battery for when we get home to use it in the dark,” Schechter said. “We love the public library. I have been coming with my other son since he was born.”

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.