LIMA — The force was with 1,750 ticket holders at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center on Sunday.

Jedi Knights battled Darth Vader and the evil empire during the Lima Symphony Orchestra’s Star Wars Family Concert.

“It was a huge success,” said LSO Executive Director Elizabeth Brown. “It was fun to see children with their parents and grandparents enjoying the music.”

Brown said the LSO has had a Star Wars concert in the past, but this was the first time it was done in a family format. The fundraiser definitely worked, as the Civic Center was sold out, along with more than 30 dozen light sabers for the children.

Taking the show over the edge was the Ohio Garrison of the 501st Legion and the Apollo Base of the Rebel Legion, both international groups of Star Wars enthusiasts. The 501st Legion is made up of the bad guys and the Rebel Legion are the good guys.

“We work hand in hand with Lucas Films,” said 501st member Bruce Clingan. “Every event we help with is for charity. We are pretty much somewhere every weekend.”

Clingan said the group played at 140 events across the state of Ohio alone in 2015. The group attended various fundraisers throughout the years and also visits sick children at hospitals who are Star Wars fans.

“We we here just to help the symphony,” Clingan said.

The concert was able to skirt a public relations nightmare by picking up Joe Maurer, of Delphos, a performer with Encore Theater, to be Darth Vader at the last minute. The original Darth Vader was pulled to another event.

“I was just notified on Friday,” Maurer said. “I was able to go to the lobby and greet and take pictures. It worked out great.”

Characters were available for photographs for 45 minutes before the show started at 3 p.m. The one-hour concert went without an intermission and featured several popular characters including Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, Yoda, Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker and many more.

Characters come out to take a bow during the Lima Symphony Orchestra’s Star Wars Family Concert on Sunday afternoon. https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2016/03/web1_starwars-March-13-20163.jpg Characters come out to take a bow during the Lima Symphony Orchestra’s Star Wars Family Concert on Sunday afternoon. Amanda Wilson | The Lima News

By Lance Mihm lmihm@civitasmedia.com

Reach Lance Mihm at 567-242-0409 or at Twitter @LanceMihm.

Reach Lance Mihm at 567-242-0409 or at Twitter @LanceMihm.