Celebrating Big Things
Star Trek Memorabilia Mania

by Fida Wild

Canadians have a knack to invent wacky things to grab traveller's attention. Who would have thought of finding Star Trek memorabilia in the rural community of Vulcan Alberta?

When Mr Spock and the Star Trek TV Series became a success, the Town of Vulcan got slightly obsessed with all things space tourism.

I beamed into Vulcan on my way from Blackfoot Crossing to Waterton to pay Mr Spock my respects. I only found him in form of a bust, a tribute to Mr Spock and unveiled by the Captain himself - Leonard Nimoy that is - in a special ceremony this spring.

Vulcan Alberta got its name when Vulcan the planet was not yet known. Over a 100 hears ago, the Canadian Pacific Railway Corporation christened the town after the Roman God of fire and metalworking. Rumour has it, that opponents of the Vulcan sports team would mock the size of their ears. Which, in turn, gave the Vulcan's the idea to cash in on space tourism.

At the entrance of the town a replica of the Starship Enterprise is greeting visitors. Vulcan has become somewhat of a Trekkies pilgrimage site. The first Star Trek convention was celebrated 17 years ago. I missed the Galaxyfest and Spock Days by one week. Every year in June, Trekkies and other intergalactic visitors with pointy ears invade the official trek capital of Canada by the busload to participate in the extra-terrestrial fun.

The people of Vulcan sure are a business savvy bunch. From the bakery to the liquor store, from retailers to the Vulcan Trek Station, all offer Spock-themed products. The futuristic Space Adventure Centre is the Tourist Office of the town, and filled with exhibits and Star Trek memorabilia to the brim.

Visitors can become extraterrestrial beings for the duration of the visit and dress up in Star Fleet Uniforms, stick their faces through a cardboard cut-out, play a Virtual Reality Game and buy souvenirs in the Galaxy Gift Shop, a heaven for hard-core Trekkies.

Live Long and Prosper!

Good to Know

• Galaxyfest, Star Trek Convention: 2nd Weekend in June
• Population of Vulcan: Approx. 2000
• Official Language: English, not Klingon

Directions

• From Calgary: Take Highway 2 South to High River, and then Highway 23 East and South to Vulcan
• From Lethbridge: Take Highway 3 North to Monarch, and then rural Highway 23 North to Vulcan
• From Fort MacLeod: Take Highway 3 East to Monarch, and then rural Highway 23 North to Vulcan

Distances

• Vulcan - Calgary 120 km
• Vulcan - Lethbridge 95,8 km
• Vulcan - Fort MacLeod 102 km
• Vulcan - Waterton 213 km

Where to Stay

• Tree House Bed & Breakfast, Vulcan
• Heritage House Bed & Breakfast, Lethbridge
• D.J. Motel, Fort MacLeod
• Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park
• More Hotels in Lethbridge

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