In Star Trek, Vulcan is Spock's home planet. There's a real-life version in Alberta, Canada, home of the VulCON Spock Days Galaxyfest.
If you’re a Star Trek fan, you probably know Vulcan as the home planet of Captain Spock. But there’s another version of Vulcan right here on Earth, in Alberta, Canada—and it’s gearing up for a celebration of all things Star Trek with next week’s VulCON Spock Days Galaxyfest.
Vulcan’s name is pure coincidence, but the town of 2,000 people is happy to spotlight the sci-fi connection: Vulcan has its own replica of the USS Enterprise, as well as a spaceship-shaped tourism center. And while the convention’s in play, resident Vulcanians even sport Spock’s signature pointy ears.
“We went to the bakery where the baker was wearing his Spock ears,” Trekkie Cricket Courtney, who went to last year’s convention, told BBC News. “The mayor dresses up in a Star Trek uniform, people come and talk to you on the street, take your picture. I feel like you come home to Vulcan.”
In April, actor Leonard Nimoy—Spock himself—even landed for a brief visit to Vulcan, where he was greeted by hundreds of enthusiastic fans, and presented with a key to the city. Nimoy enjoyed his visit so much that he repaid his hosts by inviting 300 Vulcan residents to a private screening of Star Trek XI.
“I thought it was only appropriate, since the town of Vulcan has been so supportive of Star Trek and I thought it was about time Star Trek did something for the town of Vulcan,” he said.
This year’s convention runs from June 11th to the 13th. Make sure to load up on rocket fuel for the journey there, and may the force be with you.