Guest Post by Edward Cardenas

My family is a Star Wars family.

From our Halloween costumes to quoting the movies during family dinners, Star Wars permeates every part of our lives. So when I saw on Facebook that the SOLO brand was running a contest to see the premiere of “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in Los Angeles, I had to enter!

When we were notified that we won the trip for four to be on the red carpet, see the world premiere and attend the afterparty, our house looked like the celebration scene from the end of “Return of the Jedi.” My boys cheered and we all danced around screaming we are going to see Solo!

Last week my family had the ultimate #StarWars experience thanks to @SoloCup. We were the lucky winners of the #SOLObration #sweepstakes. Check out our journey to the #SoloAStarWarsStory premiere. pic.twitter.com/bdRvmO7qOy

— Edward Cardenas (@elcardenas) May 19, 2018

With the help of the SOLO brand team (who were just as excited about the contest as we were), my family experienced a first-class, trip of a lifetime. Our itinerary was filled with insider opportunities, great items in our swag bag and some time to explore LA-LA Land.

We walked the red carpet before the stars arrived; posed under the Millennium Falcon on Hollywood Blvd.; was passed by Ron Howard, George Lucas and a galaxy of stars on the red carpet; posed in front of very cool SOLO cup Millennium Falcon cockpit display; got selfies with Donald Glover; cheered as we saw Han meet Chewy and Lando for the first time on the big screen in the Dolby Theatre and then felt like Hollywood A-listers at the afterparty.

After our flight from #DTW to #LAX (which was not as fast as the #KesselRun) we had to time to soak in the California sun and enjoy lunch at #InNOutBurger before getting glammed up for the #SoloMovie premiere! pic.twitter.com/x6fxbVkkjz

— Edward Cardenas (@elcardenas) May 19, 2018

Young #Lando, @donaldglover, was so outgoing and accommodating to take selfies and have some fun with our boys at the #SoloAStarWarsStory premiere. Great guy! #HanSoloPremiere #LandoCalrissian pic.twitter.com/gDtESuxEvk

— Edward Cardenas (@elcardenas) May 19, 2018

Then it was time to head into the @dolbytheatre for the next step in our Epic #SOLObration thanks to @SoloCup! #SoloAStarWarsStory pic.twitter.com/yg65cNFxvz

— Edward Cardenas (@elcardenas) May 19, 2018

Even though our “Epic SOLObration” was a hyperspeed, three-day trip to Los Angeles and back to Detroit, the memories will be long-lasting and we are so grateful to everyone at the SOLO brand for this opportunity.

And now that “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has finally been released to the general public, we can’t wait to share our experiences and love for this movie with our family, friends, co-workers and classmates!

We had to take one last photo at the end of our Epic #SOLObration. Words can’t express our gratitude to @SoloCup for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see #SoloAStarWarsStory and experience a #Hollywood premiere! pic.twitter.com/wMX9n9HVx7

— Edward Cardenas (@elcardenas) May 19, 2018