Riverside residents getting their “Star Trek” on early

Riverside residents have been invited to attend a special screening of the new “Star Trek” film a day before it’s released nationwide.
It’s a fitting tribute for the community of 928 people that has proclaimed itself as “The Future Birthplace of Captain Kirk.” Riverside also hosts an annual Star Trek-themed festival, Trek Fest, each summer. The new film, simply titled “Star Trek,” is a prequel to the 1960s “Star Trek” television series.
Paramount Pictures, the production company for the film, has invited 300 Riverside residents to watch the movie May 6 at Sycamore Cinema in Iowa City. The film opens May 7.
Residents can get tickets on a first come, first served basis at The Voyage Home — Riverside History Center.
“I was kind of surprised,” Trek Fest spokesman Herb Kane said. “But it was a pleasant surprise. I think it will be a fun time for everyone, especially since it’s Riverside.”
Kane said 125 people will ride in style to the event. Classic Thunder Limousine, a Riverside-based company, will provide complimentary transportation to the show. Five stretch limos and a charter bus will take residents to the theater.
Kane said some Riverside residents involved in a 2005 reality TV show, “Invasion Iowa,” will attend the event. In 2004, William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original series, came to Riverside under the auspices of making a science fiction movie, “Invasion Iowa.” Shatner and producers tricked the town into thinking they were filming a movie, when in reality they were making a TV show about the citizens reacting to the film’s production. A two-disc DVD set featuring all 10 episodes of the TV show will be released May 19.
This all comes before Riverside’s 25th Annual Trek Fest. This year, original cast members George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig will appear at the event on June 26 and 27. Koenig was the guest of honor at last year’s event.
“He played a major part in helping the other two actors come,” Kane said.
Kane said the timing of the film’s release and Trek Fest’s big anniversary couldn’t be better.
“I think it’s great,” he said. “This is our 25th anniversary year, so it’s a great year for it.