TOMS RIVER, NJ — Star Trek fans are invited to board the USS Challenger for a celebration of all things Star Trek on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Ocean County Library in Toms River.

The USS Challenger is a chapter of STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association. The celebration, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is in part marking the 30th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," which premiered on Sept. 28, 1987. That syndicated series captivated a whole new generation of Star Trek fans. It led to three Star Trek spinoffs including "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Star Trek: Enterprise." The cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation also appeared in four feature-length films following its seven-season run.

The Ocean County Library event also falls on the eve of a new Star Trek series, "Star Trek: Discovery," which is set to debut on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 24. "We are very excited about that," said USS Challenger chapter chairman Bob Vosseller of Toms River.



Brick resident Steven Lance, who appeared in the film "STAR TREK: The Motion Picture" in 1979 is scheduled to speak at Saturday's event and will share some interesting stories about his time working with James Doohan and others involved in the production, organizers said. Lance introduced the documentary "For The Love of Spock" produced by Adam Nimoy about his famous father Leonard Nimoy who played Mr. Spock in the original Star Trek series. Lance also introduced the documentary during the New Jersey Film Festival held in Atlantic City in April.



There also will be a Star Trek costume contest, panels regarding "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and a preview panel concerning the new series "Star Trek: Discovery. A trivia contest will be held and snacks will be available.



The USS Challenger will soon be celebrating its own 30th anniversary, having formed in January 1988, Vosseler said. The Ocean County-based organization, which meets at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month in Seaside Heights, is involved with community service projects, attends a variety of conventions, and coordinates various projects. Visit the group's Facebook page at USS Challenger or its website at usschallenger.org for more information.