Vulcan’s V.A.S.T. History

In the mid 1980s, Vulcan, Alberta was a town in trouble. Businesses were failing, and boards were being put up on windows throughout the downtown. A group of concerned citizens from across Vulcan County and the EDC officer of the time got together under the Alberta Agriculture Rural Initiatives, to create a rural development plan for this community. Many very good ideas came from those meetings to develop business in the area – among them, using Star Trek’s reference to “Vulcan” to create a brand to promote the town and county.

In the late 1980s the Vulcan Association of Science and Trek (V.A.S.T) was formed. The town’s Star Trek promotions began with local stores selling specially labeled Vulcan Ears. This was followed by the creation and sale of unique multi-sided municipal coins and postcards. In the beginning, V.A.S.T. received very little support from the town. Soon however, local businesses began to notice an increase in the amount of traffic coming through their doors, and several were surprised at how many people were only coming to town because of its relationship to Star Trek.

Today, each member of Vulcan’s Town Council proudly wears their very own Star Trek uniform and Vulcan ears to public functions and conventions. Some businesses and public buildings in Vulcan’s downtown core boast space themed murals on their walls, and Star Trek window displays.

The County’s official Tourist information centre – the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station was built in the shape of a Space Station, and is an attraction in its own right. In addition to having a spacey gift shop and providing local and provincial tourist information, it features an outer-space themed décor with floor to ceiling planetscape murals and a solar system suspended from the ceiling. There is a replica starship bridge where visitors are invited to have their pictures taken dressed up in full-costume with life-sized cardboard cut outs of their favourite Star Trek characters.

In the winter/spring of 2007, a new $250 000 state-of-the-art Space themed virtual reality game (the Vulcan Space Adventure) was added to the list of features that makes this tourist information centre the unique stop on the map that it is.

The Trek Station also boasts a large display of Star Trek memorabilia and collectibles. This collection was donated to the Town of Vulcan by the family of long time Star Trek fan and Vulcan enthusiast, the late Albert Cave.

The Town of Vulcan’s adoption of the Star Trek and Space theme has created a tourist destination from almost nothing but its name. Today, the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station sees almost 15 000 visitors come through its doors annually, from all over the world. The Vulcan Tourism office has received media requests, from as far away as the UK and Florida. Vulcan is frequently featured in travel magazines, TV shows, newscasts and documentaries because of its space theme. Vulcan has also hosted a minivan commercial, and the pilot of a yet to be produced TV program.

V.A.S.T. Timeline

1989 - The seed of the idea came from an Alberta Agriculture Rural Initiative meeting. Brainstorming economic growth ideas for Vulcan County resulted in the idea to adopt the Star Trek theme to promote tourism in the county.

1990 - Vulcan Association of Science and Trek (V.A.S.T.) incorporated in the societies act.

1991 - "Voyage to Vulcan” run in conjunction with a contest sponsored by channel 7 and the Calgary Herald. The sponsors planned and funded this event (including décor, entertainment, supper and transportation to Vulcan from Lethbridge and Calgary)

1993 - VulCon 1, Vulcan’s first 2 day Star Trek convention. Guest Stars: Diane Carey & Greg Brodeau, authors of Star Trek books

1993 - V.A.S.T. launches a Science Tour of Vulcan County. This self-guided tour took visitors out across Vulcan County to learn more about local science including: flora and fauna, astronomy, weather, oil and gas, agriculture and irrigation. (note: this tour is in the process of being redeveloped, and no longer exists in its original format)

1994 - VulCon 2, guest stars A.C. Crispin and Michael Capiobianco

1995 - VulCon 3, guest star Paul Farrand, author of Nitpicker’s Guide to Star Trek

1995 - Vulcan Starship FX6-1995-a is unveiled at the entrance to town.

1996 - VulCon 4, guest star Gary Lockwood (Lt. Cmdr Gary Mitchell, ST: Original Series Pilot episode) First dinner theatre with Betty Bigelow dance troop from Seattle.

1997 - VulCon 5, guest star Roy Jenson, original series

1998 - VulCon 5.85, guest star, Bill Brooks, Gene Polanski, and Scott Hypnotist in conjunction with Vulcan’s 85^th anniversary celebrations

1998 - Space Station inspired Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station opens its doors in October.

1999 - VulCon 6, guest star author Margaret Wonder Bonano and Jack Donner(Romulan Subcmdr Tal, ST: Original Series).

2000 - VulCon 7, guest star Barbara March (Lursa, Klingon in ST: The Next Generation, ST: Deep Space Nine and ST: Generations)

2001 - VulCon 8 renamed Galaxyfest

2002 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 9 guest star AC Crispin and Michael Capiobianco

2003 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 10 guest star, Charles Napier (Adam, ST: Original Series; Denning, ST: Deep Space Nine)

2004 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 11 guest star Marina Sirtis (Counsellor Deanna Troi, ST: The Next Generation)

2005 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 12 guest stars Robert O’Reilly (Klingon Chanc. Gowron, ST: Teh Next Generation and ST: Deep Space Nine) and JG Hertzler (Klingon Gen. Martok ST: Deep Space Nine)

2006 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 13 guest stars Casey Biggs (Romulan Gul Damar, ST: Deep Space Nine) and Vaughan Armstrong (Star Trek's man of many faces)

2007 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 14 guest stars Aron Eisenberg (Ferengi Nog, ST: Deep Space Nine) and Max Grodenchik (Ferengi Rom, ST: Deep Space Nine)

2008 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 15 guest star Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. featuring the unveiling of the Roddenberry Memorial, the inaugural jump of the Flying Trekkies Skydive Demonstration Team and the dedication of the Albert Cave Memorial Star Trek Collection.
2009 - VulCON/Galaxyfest 16 guest stars Suzie Plakson (Vulcan Selar: TNG Schizoid Man; half-Klingon K'Ehleyr: TNG The Emissary and TNG Reunion; Andorian Tarah: ENT Cease Fire; Female Q: VOY The Q and the Grey), Gwynyth Walsh (Klingon B'Etor: Generations, TNG Redemption, TNG Redemption II, DS9 Past Prologue, TNG Firstborn;  Nimira Chief Examiner of the Mari: VOY Random Thoughts), Barbara March (Klingon Lursa: Generations, TNG Redemption, TNG Redemption II, DS9 Past Prologue, TNG Firstborn), Alan Scarfe (Romulan Admiral Mendak: TNG Data's Day; Romulan Tokath: TNG Birthright Part II; Augris Third Magistrate of the Mokra Order: VOY Resistance), and Lolita Fatjo (Assistant to the Executive Producer and Script Coordinator).  KAG Kanada's 20th Anniversary Celebration was hosted by Vulcan during the annual VulCON/Galaxyfest event weekend.

The Albert Cave Memorial Star Trek Collection

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