faire (cont'd), may 8, 2009 Zachary Quinto as Spock in "Star Trek." Escape into the future, past By NANCY VAN VALKENBURG Standard-Examiner staff nvan @ standard. net This weekend, Northern Utahns who become bored with the here and now can check out the there and then. On the schedule for many: time travel, at least of the cerebral variety. Thousands will squeeze into darkened theaters to spend two hours watching "Star Trek" character James T. Kirk find his destiny and save the universe in an epic set nearly 250 years in the future. And thousands are expected to show up at the fourth annual Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire this weekend and next in Marriott-Slaterville, to watch corseted wenches swoon as armored knights joust on horseback, in a loose re-creation of Europe about 600 years in the past. Our entertainment options will takes our imaginations centuries backward and centuries forward, to Renaissance England and to outer space. Which begs the question: What's the problem with present-day Utah? "I think both the Renaissance Festival and 'Star Trek' are great escapes for the thinking person," said Sue Bodily, executive director of the Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire. "People who like abstract concepts, who are interested in art, theory and history, would find either time frame appealing. "I just can't believe I waited so long for that stinking movie to come out, and they picked this weekend for the premiere." Carl Stark, captain of the local "Star Trek" fan group USS Ticonderoga, said his group will greet guests at the Megaplex 13 theater in downtown Ogden prior to evening shows tonight, and afternoon and evening shows on Saturday. Some club members will attend in "Star Trek" uniforms or costumes. The group also will display related models, memorabilia and actor autographs. Paramount Picture; o o 0) CO o o U3 WENDY ABEL Toronto resident Shane Adams will be jousting at this weekend's Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire in Marriott-Slaterville.