A Star Trek Convention

     It was shortly after Classic Star Trek left the original run airwaves that talks of new episodes and possible movies began. And without much discussion at all, the conventions just sprang up. Star Trek conventions began, and I think they are still going on. In 1976, there was a Star Trek convention in Toronto! And I went – with some of my friends from college and my brother Eric. It was held at the Royal York Hotel – which was very nice.

     As I recall, the convention took place on the whole second floor which was just meeting/ball rooms. Different Star Trek stars took turns in one room speaking to fans and often answering questions. James Doohan (Scottie), George Takei (Sulu), Nichelle Nicolls (Uhura), Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand), and Mark Lenard (Spock's Father Sarek, and also a Romulan commander) - it was so exciting to see the real stars in person!      Afterward, there was a table in another room where the stars signed autographs – everyone was personable and had very positive attitudes toward their parts in the Star Trek phenomenon – 10 years after it had begun! James Doohan gave the most memorable appearance, I thought, at the convention. He wanted to touch everyone in the audience! So he walked through the aisles, and as we reached out our hands, he managed to touch us all – along with eye contact! I think the world of all of the performers who were at the convention – but it was Scottie who touched me!

     In the other rooms were other activities – there was one where science fiction movies were playing – I tried to watch 2001:Space Odyssey, but fell asleep; I'm fairly sure I saw Logan's Run – but I was not at the convention to watch sci-fi flicks, I was there to submerge myself in Star Trek. There were costumes and parades, and a trivia contest. The costumes and parades were not my thing either, but I was upset that I missed the question on the trivia test about which emotion did the emotionless Mr. Spock convey the most often? I put down fascination because it seemed like at least once an episode Spock was expected to raise one eyebrow and say “fascinating” - but the people in charge of the trivia contest said the answer was “pride” - I could have quibbled – but I would not have won the trivia contest anyway because knowing the numbers on the outside hull of the Enterprise or having star-dates for various episodes tucked away in my memory were not the things that attracted me to Star Trek or kept me enthralled with it for so many years – and so those trivia questions I would have missed on the test anyway.

     And of course, in one room there were tables and tables of Star Trek memorabilia that we could buy. This was before videotapes and dvds and tv channels that can bring up any episode on demand. So what to buy that would help me remember the show when the syndication finally stopped running (which still does not seem likely)? I purchased a few pictures that were scenes from various episodes – and I still have some of them – but they are yellowed, and anything can be brought up on the internet today in better colors than the original – I did not get them autographed, and should have.

But that was my Star Trek Convention experience – and I am glad to be able to say that I did it at least once!

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