Archive from June 2011

5:04 PM - Trek Fest in Riverside, Iowa (future birthplace of Captain Kirk) (posted by Allen )
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

William Shatner and fans help save TrekFest XXVII (June 24-25, 2011)

TrekFest is a small-town festival with a Star Trek theme. Riverside, Iowa is the official Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk - the character played by William Shatner in the original 1960's Star Trek television series.

Riverside, IA (June 15, 2011) - The Riverside Area Community Club (RACC) in Riverside, Iowa (the small town known worldwide as The Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk) almost canceled TrekFest XXVII due to lack of funding. The news hit the media and then local businesses, organizations and fans worldwide stepped up with donations allowing TrekFest to take place this June 24th to 25th.

The amount needed was at minimum $10,000. Mindbridge Foundation graciously donated $5,000, the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort $3,000 and The River Products Company of Iowa City gave $1,500. Several contributions from local businesses and residents flowed in along with online donations from people worldwide (as far as Australia) to help save the event. The Iowa City Yaht Club opened its doors for a special concert performed by local bands to raise money. Actor William Shatner also playing a part in keeping TrekFest alive.

In 2004, William Shatner (who played Star Trek's Captain Kirk in the 1960's TV series) filmed INVASION IOWA in Riverside, IA (a Spike-TV reality show). He developed a bond with the local townspeople and promised he would one day come back to Riverside for TrekFest after the casino was built. Since then, RACC invited Shatner to attend each year, and each time he has declined due to his busy schedule. This prompted a Star Trek fan from Kansas to start a Facebook page called “William Shatner should keep his promise and come to TrekFest.” Members of this page and other online fans worldwide ended up donating over $700.

Shatner responded to this year's invitation in a letter to RACC, “Once again I have to tell you that I'm not able to make it to Riverside. I certainly remember you all fondly and hope everyone is in good health and happy. If there is something I can send for you to auction off to help with your community fund, I'd be delighted to do so.”

RACC accepted and Shatner sent two items to be auctioned off and will be announced in the near future.

Bands performing in Hall Park will be Friday: INSECTOID (9pm). Saturday: SYNTHAHOLICS BAND (11:15am); FIVE YEAR MISSION (9:30pm) is a band based out Indiana who offered to come to TrekFest to keep the event alive. Their Mission: Our goal is to take every episode of the original Star Trek, write a song about it, record it, and play it. In the end, there will be five full-length CDs full of Star Trek goodness for all to enjoy. The popular WHO'Z PLAY'IN will take stage at 9pm.

TrekFest highlights include a Demo Derby (Fri, 7:30pm), Saturday Parade at 10am (theme “Assignment Earth” - candy will be tossed to the kids), a Sci-Fi Swap Meet (11am), Costume Contest (1pm). BBQ meals and carnival rides. The event will end with a fireworks show (paid for by the City of Riverside) at 10pm. For an extensive list of TrekFest's family-friendly events, visit www.trekfest.com.

The Riverside Area Community Club is grateful to all their fans (local and worldwide) for keeping TrekFest alive. Ken McCracken (president of RACC) said, “Without the fans, there would literally be no TrekFest.”

TrekFest hopes to continue to live long and prosper. And who knows, maybe one day in the near future William Shatner will accept RACC's invitation to TrekFest and once again come home to The Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk.


About

In 1984, former city councilman, Steve Miller, came up with the idea to dub Riverside, Iowa - The Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. This far out idea was approved by the city and by Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry. The town's annual River Fest celebration was renamed TrekFest and has lived long and prospered ever since. The Riverside Area Community Club (RACC) plans and implements TrekFest annually. Money raised by RACC is used to help out the community with academic scholarships, new playground equipment and other events.

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TrekFest
Carol, Herb or Fred
319-930-9735
trekfest@gmail.com
www.trekfest.com
Phone: 646-470-KIRK (5475)

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