Trek Fest 39 features cosplay, parade, live music, and appearance from Iowa native

Riverside, Iowa – The Riverside 39th Annual Trek Fest appears to be expanding annually. Trekkies from hundreds of miles away continue to flock to the festival honoring the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk because it offers additional events, an annual procession, live music, cuisine, memorabilia, and special guests.

Terry Farrell, a native of Cedar Rapids, was this year’s featured guest. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s well-known Jadzia Dax was portrayed by Farrell. Dax belonged to the Trill race, which aims to house a humanoid symbiont. At 29, Farrell’s character was young and had experienced multiple former incarnations, both as a man and a woman, thus it was a difficult job to take on.

According to Farrell, returning to Iowa for Trek Fest is very different than attending conventions. “Doing conventions literally all over the world where there are people, that don’t know where I’m from, really, and how it feels to be where I’m from. But to come here and be where I’m from, where I fell in love with Star Trek to begin with. And then have these people come up to say hi. It’s so sweet and touching.”

Farrell is now returning to acting after taking several years off to raise her son. She says now at the age of 60 and with two successful TV shows under her belt (DS9 and CBS’ Becker), she can enjoy the craft more. “It’s a beautiful turn in your life, which I guess you can take the road of being better or you can take the road is like, wow, I have some time left.”

As Pride Month comes to an end this weekend, Farrell celebrates the steps of inclusion and diversity that old and new Trek have brought to television. “I love that our show embodies acceptance and hope for a better future. And that will never end with Star Trek.”

As for her contribution to the Star Trek Universe, Farrell is currently rewatching Deep Space Nine as part of a podcast hosted by fellow Star Trek Alum from Star Trek: Voyager. Joining her is Armin Shimmerman, who played the Ferengi Quark on DS9.

Beyond the live music, Farrell took part in a Q&A with fans, signed autographs, and the event wrapped up with fireworks Saturday night.