Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the landmark TV series “Star Trek,” states in his book “The Making of Star Trek” that his lead character, Capt. James Tiberius Kirk, was born in the year 2228 in Iowa. Seizing an opportunity to bring notoriety to his southeastern Iowa town, Steve Miller suggested to his fellow Riverside, Iowa, City Council members that Riverside declare itself the future birthplace of Capt. Kirk. The council agreed, got Roddenberry’s blessing and found its place in the hearts of velour pullover-wearing Trekkies everywhere.
There’s a plaque near the Community Club declaring Riverside’s Kirk connection, and in a modest strip mall you’ll find The Voyage Home Heritage Center and Star Trek Museum, featuring two rooms of eastern central Iowa history and Star Trek memorabilia. Best of all, they have a truck-sized scale model of the Starship Riverside, a legally acceptable facsimile of the Starship Enterprise, parked on a trailer in the museum’s lot along Highway 22.
Riverside was declared Capt. Kirk’s hometown in 1985, and every year since it has held a Trek Fest the last weekend of June. In previous years, there have been parades with the likes of Walter Koenig (Mr. Chekov), George Takei (Mr. Sulu) and Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura). Last year’s shindig was out of this world: a pet show, demolition derby, sci-fi swap meet, costume contest, golf cart rodeo, and music from Tom and the Tribbles (they have yet to announce this year’s roster). Here’s to you, Riverside: Live long and prosper.
Riverside, Iowa, is about 14 miles south of Iowa City. This year’s Trek Fest is June 26-27.
Gunnar Johnson, a Sun Sentinel designer, is the author of Eccentric Roadside, www.eccentricroadside.blogspot.com, a travel blog that features unusual roadside sights.
