Those of you who’ve been following me anywhere online for any length of time have probably come to know I’m a huge Star Trek nerd fan. I attend conventions on occasion but had never made it to the largest one in the world held every year, over 4 days in Las Vegas, Nevada – until last month.
I’ll be writing more about this convention in the coming days (and here’s a beginner’s guide to the whole thing if you’ve got no clue what I’m talking about.) Basically a Star Trek convention is where fans of the shows meetup to hang out, meet the actors, and…yes, dress up in a variety of costumes. The Star Trek convention in Las Vegas this year was held at the Rio All Suites Casino and Hotel, and well, there’s nothing like watching a group of Klingons play craps while three drunken Vulcans gamble at the blackjack table next to them.
Enough people dressed up as various aliens at this convention (more than 1,100) to break a Guinness World record for most Star Trek costumes in one place and celebrate the show’s 45th anniversary. (Yesterday in 1966 was the first time Star Trek aired on television.)Β Sci-fi fan or not, a convention certainly changes the visual landscape, even in a city where unusual dress is often hard to define.
A Ferengi
This guy’s species might be able to teach you a thing or two about bargaining and getting a good deal anywhere on Earth.
Two Andorian Females
These ladies actually come from one of the best planets in the galaxy to visit if you’ve got a vacation coming up and have a thing for skiing and snow.
Two Klingon Warriors
These two were the nicest Klingons I’ve ever met and actually had a different Klingon outfit for each day of the convention.
Orion Slave Girls
Admittedly, Orion slave girls aren’t something I come across frequently in my travels.
…so when I do, I figure I should say hi.
The Tallest Vulcan I’ve Ever Seen
Who is also holding a My Little Pony doll. I’m as confused as you are.
Thanks, But I Just Got A Haircut
To be honest, I don’t know what episode from the original series these two are from but I didn’t tell them that until I was out of extremely-large-crazy-blade range.
A Borg
This gentleman won the costume contest that was run during the convention, netting himself $1,000 to assimilate.
Where The Costumes Come From
Many (like the above Borg) are homemade and generally the most creative, but standard uniforms are on sale at most conventions.
A White Alien Gorilla With A Horn…Duh
From the ever cheesy episode A Private Little War, and the other guy is dressed as Captain Kirk in that same episode.
Legos In Space
Anything in Lego form is better. Never forget that.
Alien Phenomena
This guy gets points for creativity and you get nerd points if you get, and chuckle at it.
Starfleet Is Pet-Friendly
And so is the Rio All Suites Casino and Hotel.
Ladies In Command
Starfleet seems to have a pretty liberal wardrobe policy.
Klingons Don’t Mess Around
That bat’leth (Klingon sword) isn’t plastic by the way, so be sure to stay on her good side.
A Romulan
Hope he didn’t get too close to the Klingons, especially the ones that were armed. Which was pretty much all of them.
More From The Costume Contest
I wish there were a tutorial somewhere on how to photograph aliens because I just couldn’t get it down over the 4 days. It was much easier to get a photo of Max Grodenchik without his makeup from Deep Space Nine, above.
The Following Runs Deeper Than The Surface
So much of what brings people to conventions (originally a fan grass-roots effort to keep the show alive after it was canceled) is creator Gene Roddenberry’s bright vision for humanity’s future. One brought on through exploration and the understanding we are all much more alike than we are different. In Star Trek, it takes aliens landing on Earth for humanity to realize what we can already simply by traveling more of our own planet.
For a few more aliens and the rest of Las Vegas, check out my album here.
Some of those pictures are creepy! That Spock guy looks an awful lot like the real thing!! Looks like a good, fun time!
Along with the Spock, there were a few *really* good look alikes. One Patrick Stewart everyone kept following around until they got up close π
That’s great Anil! Thanks for sharing the pics. REally get a feel for the weekend. You must’ve been in Heaven, esp buying Sulu a coffee! One Q- how come you didn’t dress up?.. OR did you, and you’re just not showing us… Veyr cool you could attend the convention. cheers, Lash
I was in nerd paradise that week π I didn’t dress up, hard to fit that Klingon uniform in my backpack but I’m planning on attending next year as well and will find a way!
A “bright vision for humanityβs future. One brought on through exploration and the understanding we are all much more alike than we are different…” I love it – that’s why I travel and the message I’m always putting forth, since I really believe that understanding this is our very best chance for world peace. Never knew Star Trek had the same idea behind it. I learn something new every time I read your blog.
Oh my, I just died and went to Star Trek heaven! Thanks for sharing these photos. I’ve always wanted to go to a Star Trek Convention but never had the opportunity to do so. I’m so jealous.
If it’s at all possible, Vegas is the one to be at π Nearly 10,000 people this year. If you love Star Trek you’ll have a blast there at one of the big conventions π
Had been waiting for this post…but there’s a picture missing…what did you dress up as????? Come on…tell us!
hahah, I didn’t dress up this year, although I did have buy a Starfleet uniform shirt. Next year I’m probably going all out, maybe they have a costume rental service for us without much luggage π
I didn’t know that you were a Star Trek Fan, somehow I missed that! I’ve been to a few conventions like this when I worked in Television and they are so much fun. I can see why people really get into them. The work that people put into their costumes is amazing. Looking forward to your beginners guide!
Some of the costumes looked better than the early episodes, it was a lot of fun. I bet for you guys it must have been one of the more interesting conventions, though I can only imagine π
I’m not a Star Trek fan, but I relish any opportunity to geek out and I appreciate the effort people put into their costumes. Love Lego man, especially.
Geeks have evolved to come in many forms now π I couldn’t stop laughing at Lego man, he was awesome and popping up everywhere over the 4 days.
Oh lordy, I look completely ridiculous here, sat in Cafe GeniΕ on Fethiye harbour (we are temporarily without internet) chuckling away to myself. You actually look really strange because you’re dressed in normal attire!! Don’t forget, we’re looking forward to your outfit at next year’s convention! π
Julia
hahaha, I did feel out of place attending as a 21rst century human π I need to go as Klingon next year…though I can’t imagine how many geek jokes I’ll hear from a certain somebody!
Anil! I had no idea you were a Trekkie, too. Ditto. My favorite place in Vegas used to be the Star Trek Experience (RIP). I would have lived there if I could have.
Yes, a fellow Trekkie and glad to find out you’re one too! I never made it to the Star Trek Experience :/ though there was some talk about resurrecting it, seems those hopes have died. Guess we’ll have to wait for Jordan in a few years π
That would get me to Jordan, for sure. π
Maybe you can answer a question for me…who was the judge of the contest sitting in the middle between J.G. Hertzler and Max Grodenchik? He looks so familiar, but I can’t place him.
In the photo above?
I’m trying to remember from the contest that year…I’m pretty sure it was Gowron (Robert O’Reilly).
Nope. Definitely NOT Robert O’Reilly. I know for a fact it wasn’t O’Reilly.
You can’t see him in the photos here, but if you watch Bill Shatner’s documentary “Get A Life” (it’s instantly viewable on Netflix) you can see the guy clearly on a couple of occasions. I’ve been looking around for info on who the judges were at the time to find out, but all I find are more pictures of the costumes, almost none of which have the guy I’m talking about in them and no info on who the judges were. I want to say he appeared in the original series…
Hmm, now that you mention TOS, maybe the Gorn…
THAT’S HIM! Bobby Clark! The Gorn himself! Thanks Anil!! That’s been driving me crazy!
Sweet! Glad I was able to help π