Trekkies and farmers gathered this past weekend for Trekfest XXV in Riverside, Iowa, the “future birthplace” of fictional “Star Trek” character Capt. James T. Kirk.
The event drew 153 people in “Star Trek” costumes, possibly breaking the world record for largest gathering of people dressed as “Star Trek” characters, said Paul McCracken, a member of the Riverside Area Community Club’s Board of Directors.
At present, the record is 99 people in London in February. An event in Bonn, Germany, on May 1 claimed to have 507 people in “Star Trek” costumes, but that number has yet to be confirmed.
McCracken said a video of the Riverside event has to be analyzed before the record is confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records.
“It’s not something they take lightly,” he said.
Christine Miles, one of the Trekfest goers, said she has been a “Trek” fan since she was little.
“My dad was really into sci-fi,” she said. “Now I’m just a pretty big sci-fi nerd.”
The U. Iowa junior, dressed in standard red Starfleet garb, attended the costume contest as what she jokingly called, “the illegitimate daughter of Capt. Picard and Dr. Crusher” of the Next Generation series.
Many Trekfest-attendees dressed in Starfleet uniforms, but some came as Klingons, able to speak some of the Klingon language, and wearing heavy leather Klingon outfits.
“It was a pretty hot day yesterday,” said Pierre Saba, a 15-year Trekfest veteran. “[The Klingons] hung out there all day.”
Saba, whose wife, nieces, and nephews often tag along to the event, said the atmosphere has a sense of escapism and fantasy.
“I’ve got 10 days in the year I look forward to, and Trekfest is one of them,” he said. “It’s gotten bigger and bigger pretty much every time.”
Saba went to school in Cedar Rapids with Terry Farrell, who starred in “Deep Space Nine” — so he has a personal connection to the series.
“There are quite a lot of ‘Star Trek’ fans out there in the world,” Saba said. “There are some goofballs that come up with their own characters.”
The contest took place after the parade, which featured not only “Star Trek” floats and the USS Riverside, but also tractors and people riding horses.
“That’s pretty classic Iowa,” Miles said.
Trekfest also included a museum featuring a bust of William Shatner and three former “Trek” stars: Walter Koenig, BarBara Luna, and James Cawley.
However, the event doesn’t only draw Iowans. Fans from out-of-state attended as well.
Andrew Trout and fellow “Trek” fan and USS Gorkon crew member Chris Danford were two of the out-of-state fans in attendance, both from Indiana.
“A lot of people love ‘Star Trek’ discussion,” said Trout, after rubbing the sweat from his eye under his glasses.
“No crap, it’s a ‘Star Trek’ convention,” said Danford, sipping from a can of Mountain Dew.
“Be respectful,” Trout said.