RACC members Andy Rodgers and Rene Arps and sculptor Jurek Jakowicz with the to-be-unveiled Captain Kirk statue. Photo courtesy of RACC.

It’s been 50 years since we first saw Captain James T. Kirk grace televisions in the Star Trek original series, and now he’s coming home to Riverside.

The unveiling of the long-anticipated lifesize bronze statue of Captain Kirk is happening during this year’s Trekfest, the annual town celebration for the “future birthplace” of the fictional character.

The statue was sculpted by Jurek Jakowicz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and it’s been over a year-long process of designing the likeness, crafting the clay model, and casting the final statue. Jakowicz says he wasn’t too familiar with Star Trek before working on the statue and has since become a fan, “Actually, I did extensive research on William Shatner, and as I told you I met lots of people who are diehard Star Trek fans and they’re very precise about the boots, the label on his chest, his look and everything else, the small details.”

Riverside Area Community Club President Rene Arps says the workmanship of the statue is beautiful, looking like a roughly 40-year-old William Shatner who originally portrayed Kirk. The approximate $30,000 statue was funded by $15,000 in hotel/motel tax grants from the City of Riverside, contributions from the Riverside Museum Board and RACC, Trekfest profits, and residents’ donations. The bronze Kirk will be unveiled this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Hall Park in Riverside.