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Riverside’s Trek Fest to celebrate its 25th year

By Amy Jacobus

The May release of Paramount Picture’s “Star Trek” sparked a box-office frenzy, attracting both long-time Trekkies and those unfamiliar with the popular sci-fi franchise. The movie, an origin story, returns to the beginnings of the bonds formed between the crew members of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

One of those crew members happens to be of particular importance to Riverside, Iowa.

In 1984, the small town was named the official future birthplace of Captain James Tiberius Kirk, the only Star Trek character to hail from Iowa. For the last 25 years, Riverside has celebrated its prominence in the science fiction realm with its annual Trek Fest, a summer festival targeted at local families as well as thousands of Trek-maniacs. This summer’s festival kicks off Friday and activities continue through 11 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to the festival’s usual line-up of Star Trek screenings, “The Voyage Home” museum tours and parade, the Riverside Area Community Club has some special events in store.

Carol Riggan, president of the community club, says this year’s festival will be bigger than ever. This is, in large part, due to the publicity surrounding the film released in May.

“The new movie did nothing but help us,” Riggan says. “We expect 5,000 to 10,000 people.” That projection is double the fest’s usual attendance.

Paramount Pictures has given Kirk’s birthplace plenty of recognition. The studio has donated items to the town’s museum (Riggan mentions that the attraction is already outgrowing its humble space) and offered 300 tickets to Riverside residents for an early screening of the movie.

The town is also grabbing attention with its Trek Fest guest list. Three of the television series’ original stars will star in the parade, judge a costume contest and be available for photos and autographs following a question and answer session at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort Convention Center.

To the delight of the show’s fans, Walter Koenig (Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) and George Takei (Sulu) will come together for a rare appearance in Kirk’s hometown.

“I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see them all in the Midwest together,” Riggan says.

And the stars will certainly be surrounded by some good ol’ Midwestern family fun. Tractor pulls, pet contests, bingo games, carnival rides and traditional festival eats are all included on the weekend’s schedule. A full-fledged rodeo, complete with events like “Bareback Riding” and “Mutton Bustin,’” is slated for 7 p.m. Saturday.

Riggan says the mix of hometown family fun and Star Trek attractions makes the festival unique.

“Being a small town of 1,000 people, we’ve got the best support,” she says. “I’m totally amazed by people who don’t even live here but come in from all over the state to help with the event. It shows that people want Star Trek to keep going.”

And the festival plans to ride this wave of Trek-support to continue to grow in size and stature. Riggan says there are already big plans in the works for next year’s festival.

For more information about Trek Fest, visit the festival web site or call (319) 930-TREK (8735).

Here is the full schedule of events:

Friday, June 26

5 p.m. Beer Garden, Carnival Rides, Games and Food Booths Open
6:30 p.m. Kid’s Parade
7 p.m. Guest Speaker John Tenuto presents history of Star Trek Pet Show
7:30 p.m. Demolition Derby
8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Music by DJ MLRTYME

Saturday, June 27

10 a.m. “The Voyage Home” Parade
11 a.m. Carnival Rides, Games and Food Booths open
BBQ Beef Sandwich Meal
Kid’s Face Painting
Volleyball Tournament
Car & Tractor Show
Costume Contest
11:45 a.m. Stardust Shout Out! to the troops
Noon Star Trek Episodes/Invasion Iowa Screening
Sci Fi Swap Meet
State Fair Talent Show
Great Trek Scavenger Hunt
Federation Games
1 p.m. Tee-Ball
Cow Chip Bingo
1:30 p.m. Kid’s Tractor Pull
Q&A with Star Trek stars Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei
2 p.m. Mini Tractor Pull
3 p.m. Golf Cart Rodeo
Gunny the Clown
Bingo
3:30 p.m. Star Trek Stars Autograph/Photo Session
4 p.m. Greased Pig Contest
5:30 p.m. Duck Race
7 p.m. Kirk’s Stomping Grounds Rodeo
9 p.m. Hard Barney, live music
10 p.m. Fireworks