BLM Invites the Public to Visit the Planet of Tatooine
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), El Centro Field Office, in conjunction with United Desert Gateway and the Imperial County Film Commission, invite the public to a Star Wars – Discover the Desert Day at the Buttercup Ranger Station in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
The event will be held on Sat., Jan. 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will conclude with a screening of Star Wars VI – Return of the Jedi starting at 4:30 p.m. The event will commemorate the filming of Return of the Jedi in the Buttercup Sand Dunes in 1982. The film site depicted the planet of Tatooine where a multi-tentacled alien beast with a gaping maw inhabits the Great Pit of Carkoon and consumes anything that falls in.
Tours to the film site will be offered from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. along with an art show and family friendly activities from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
We are accepting Star Wars fan art and artwork celebrating the beauty of the desert. If you would like your artwork displayed during this event, please drop it off at the BLM El Centro Field Office at 1661 S. 4th Street, El Centro CA, by 4:00 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 19. Artwork will be displayed on grid walls or with Velcro so please plan accordingly. There will be prizes given for best work in various categories.
All activities will be conducted from the Buttercup Ranger Station located at Interstate 8 at the Gray’s Well exit. Please dress for the weather. Food will be available for purchase from on-site vendors.
For further information contact: El Centro Field Office, (760) 337-4400, or Charla Teeters, United Desert Gateway, (760) 337-4155.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.