If you were in attendance at the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" panel at Comic-Con Friday evening, you were in for a big surprise.
At the end of the panel, it was announced that EVERY PERSON in the Hall H room was invited to a secret "Star Wars" concert.
For reference, Hall H holds roughly 6,500 people.
If that wasn't enough, Stormtroopers were on hand to escort the entire hall to the secret venue for the concert.
The Stormtroopers entered Hall H after the panel already started.
#Lucasfilm#StarWars panel is about to start and look who's approaching the @HallHLine! #SDCCpic.twitter.com/gE9SJ4wEcf
— Melia Robinson (@meliarobin) July 11, 2015How do you secretly unload 6,500 people out of the Convention Center?
Out the back.
Stormtroopers marched fans away from the Convention Center down toward the San Diego water front.
No big deal. Just an army of #Stormtroopers. @HallHLine#StarWars#SDCCpic.twitter.com/dnHEdLZrtx
— Jennifer Hall (@JennHall88) July 11, 2015
Here's the view from overhead to show how it looks to move over 6,000 people at once through the convention ground:
Yep. Those are stormtroopers leading ALL of the #StarWars panel from Hall H to a secret concert location. 😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/HPUCOMxZJ4
— Nicole Pirshafiey (@NicoleMojan) July 11, 2015The area was familiar to many who were camping out for access into Hall H the day before.
The walk ended at an event tucked away at the Embarcadero Marina across from the Convention Center.
Once fans got in, they were given a proper "Star Wars" welcome.
Food and wine stations were ready to greet fans.
Not just anyone can head to the event, though.
One of these badges handed out in Hall H is needed to attend.
Here's the scene once fans started to get inside.
This looks like the place to be.
Here's the same view from another angle:
"The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams took the stage along with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy to welcome fans and to introduce the cast on stage.
Afterward, the event kicked off with a message from legendary "Star Wars" composer John Williams.
"You fans have always been what's very special about 'Star Wars,'" said Williams.
Williams told everyone to have a great time Friday evening and 'May the force be with you."
From there, the San Diego Symphony played the "Star Wars" theme followed by the Imperial march and other iconic compositions from the series.
The event concluded with a magnificent fireworks display.
Check out the video below:
May the force be with you, indeed.