In celebration of the town’s designation as the “Official Star Trek Capital of Canada”, Leonard Nimoy will travel from Calgary. He will be in the Alberta city as a participant in the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo.
Star Trek Actor Leonard Nimoy to Visit Vulcan, Alberta
Great plans are underway for the exciting event in the town with a population of 2,000. Upon his arrival at 2:30 p.m. Nimoy will be escorted through the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station. A parade to the downtown will follow with County Central High School Concert Band students performing music from the Star Trek series.
Leonard Nimoy will participate as the Honorary Parade Marshall. Vulcan Mayor and council members, wearing Starfleet uniforms, will ride aboard a starship float. If the weather is bad, the planned activities will be held in the local curling rink.
Spock’s Ears and Vulcan Salute
Following the parade, Nimoy will be officially welcomed and presented with the key and transporter coordinates to Vulcan. A bronze bust of Mr. Spock will then be unveiled and Mr. Nimoy will speak to the audience. Organizers will have an impression taken of Spock’s internationally famous Vulcan salute for setting in bronze.
Leonard Nimoy is very generously lending two items for display in Vulcan. The first is a set of Mr. Spock’s ears from the original television series. The other is a wonderful signed and autographed lithograph of the original Star Trek cast. The items will be exhibited for a year in the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station.
Vulcan, Alberta History and Star Trek Connection
Named by a Canadian Pacific Railway surveyor in 1915 to honour the Roman God of Fire, Vulcan went Trek in the early 1990s. The success of the town’s first Vulcan convention in 1993 led to expansion of plans.
In 1995, Vulcan’s Star Ship FX6-1995-A was unveiled with welcoming greetings on the plaque written in English, Vulcan, and Klingon. The town’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper”. On October 23, 1998 the grand opening of the town’s new Vulcan Tourism Trek Station was celebrated.
Star Trek XI Movie Preview in Calgary
In 2009, Star Trek fans and officials in Vulcan campaigned to have the new film, Star Trek XI premiered in their town. Though there is no movie theatre, locals knew that the gymnasium could have been revamped for the presention.
When Paramount Studios turned down the plan, Leonard Nimoy successfully intervened. He believed that it was illogical for the townspeople of his character’s home planet to be deprived. A contest was quickly developed, and three hundred Vulcan residents were transported (by bus) to Calgary May 6 for the film’s preview screening..
The people of the town with the motto “Live Long and Prosper” will be forever grateful to Leonard Nimoy and his wonderful character Mr. Spock.
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
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