The Town of Vulcan float took part in the 2022 Whoop-Up Days parade on August 23, 2022. The town has invited former late-night host Conan O'Brien to attend its 'Vulcon' convention in July, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Town of Vulcan invites Conan O’Brien to ‘Vulcon’ convention this summer

Feb 2, 2023 | 8:53 AM

VULCAN, AB – The Town of Vulcan is hoping to attract a celebrity guest.

Last month, on his ‘Team Coco’ podcast, former late-night host Conan O’Brien spoke with a fan from the Southern Alberta town. O’Brien learned about the community’s nods to the Star Trek media franchise. Vulcan is a type of species in the Star Trek television series and movies.

After learning more about the town, O’Brien said it might be fun to visit. Now, the community is doing what it can to bring the star to Vulcan for its ‘Vulcon’ event in July.

Chris Gauthier, Community Services Manager at the Town of Vulcan said the community has formally invited O’Brien to serve as the ‘Vulcon’ parade marshal.

He said they have posted the invitation on social media.

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“I thought it was pretty cool that he [O’Brien] was so blown away by Vulcan and what we were doing here,” Gauthier remarked.

He said the podcast mention brewed excitement in the area, noting, “There was a good reaction in town. A lot of people were pretty excited and that was a big talking point for a couple of weeks.”

The ‘Vulcon’ convention is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this summer.

Gauthier said, “We usually do get a few stars that have either been in the [Star Trek] movies or on one of the [television] series come to town and kind of do a guest panel with them and autograph session and photo ops, and then we do the parade, and costume contest and things like that. At the end of the night, we wrap up with a big banquet supper and dance.”

He said ‘Vulcon’ has attracted anywhere from 80 to 160 people. Gauthier added that the town welcomes many visitors throughout the year, who check out the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station.

He said, “We have conversations with them and find out where they’re from. They do come from everywhere, like we’ve had people from Europe, Australia, and B.C. and Saskatchewan, Manitoba.”

“When they come to Alberta, they work it in their plans to stop at Vulcan, so I think that’s pretty neat.”

Gauthier added that having a popular star like Conan O’Brien take part in ‘Vulcon’ would not only be good for the local community, but the entire Southern Alberta region.

As of Tuesday, January 31, 2023, O’Brien has yet to respond to the invitation from the town.

The 2023 ‘Vulcon’ convention takes place July 28-30.

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