Celebrating Geekdom: Star Trek Convention

Star Trek Poodles: This long-time Trekkie and his three poodles were clad in costumes from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the series starring Patrick Stewart. Among other memorabilia, he was selling a book about Star Trek fans entitled Trekkies, Trekkers and Red Shirts.

The annual Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas took place on August 6 - 9 at the Hilton hotel. For four days, Trekkies were able to attend cast panels with favorite actors from various Star Trek series and movies, purchase autographs, take photos with celebrities, search for memorabilia in a huge vendors hall, and more. The attendees of this year's festivities included a mix of new and old fans, from recent converts invigorated by the blockbuster new movie from this past May to seasoned veterans who have been attending conventions for years.

Robert Picardo and Ethan Phillips: Robert Picardo and Ethan Phillips reprised their roles as the Doctor and Phlox from Star Trek: Voyager in a reading of "House Call." Here, Picardo is caught in a musical moment; his character on Voyager had a penchant for opera.

Left - Orion Slave Girl: This convention attendee dressed up as an Orion slave girl, the infamous seductress from the classic Star Trek series.
Right - Q: This fan dressed up as Q, a fan-favorite character played by John de Lancie in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager television series.

Nimoy and Shatner: The most popular event at the convention, without question, was the joint appearance of the original Spock and Captain Kirk on the last day. The main theater was completely packed with fans eager to hear Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner swap stories and jokes. Nimoy delivered a memorable parting comment to Shatner, who had to leave the stage early, "You are my dearest friend, always have been."

Left - Mistress Janeway: This fan was waiting in line to take photos with "The Boys of Voyager" (three actors from the series). Brandishing a whip, she called herself Mistress Janeway, in reference to Captain Janeway of the Star Trek: Voyager series.

Star Trek Oil Paintings: Among the thousands of unique memorabilia offered for sale in the vendors hall were original oil paintings.

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