Roswell: They're Here (Again)

35,000 Show Up For 60th Anniversary Of Infamous UFO 'Event' In New Mexico

(AP)  If you truly believe a UFO and its crew of bug-eyed aliens came crashing down here 60 years ago, rest assured: You're not alone.

At least 35,000 people have descended on Roswell this weekend for the 2007 Amazing Roswell UFO Festival to commemorate a purported flying saucer crash on a nearby ranch in July 1947. Participants have filled hotel rooms and nearly doubled the southeastern New Mexico town's population for a few days.

The festival, which began Thursday, is a mixed bag that includes live concerts (one headlined by a band with a computer-generated 'alien' drummer), costume contests, a Main Street parade and a slew of lectures that ponder everything from body snatchers to "What Does NASA Really Know?"

The festival emerged in the 1990s to spark debate about the purported flying saucer crash, which the government says was a top-secret weather balloon. Believers in the Roswell Incident say the government is conspiring to hide the truth about the events of that day and, more broadly, the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Al Dooley, 59, of Seattle, said he wasn't sure what happened back then, but came to the festival to learn more. He was nestled into a seat at a convention center auditorium, eager to hear a talk on "UFO Files from the UK and Government Surveillance of Ufologists."

His wife, Nancy, sat nearby, visibly less interested. She was waiting for the festival to be over so the couple could move on to the next leg of their vacation in Sedona, Arizona.

"I didn't come for the carnival atmosphere. I came to listen to the speakers," Al Dooley said. "I wanted to hear what serious and educated discussion there is."

Although he's not certain whether an alien craft crashed here, he might have seen one himself in 1968 or 1969, he said.

Michael, who plays guitar in a rock band called Element 115 and doesn't use his last name, said he doesn't merely believe the crash happened. "I KNOW it," he said, as he handed out a business card.

Michael said he hoped Element 115 would one day be the house band for a huge theme park being debated here — featuring amusement rides, a concert hall and a 300-room hotel that looks like a flying saucer.

"I want to help them with that," he said. "I see millions and millions of dollars in this place — they just need to know how to market it right."

The city's convention center was swarming with vendors hawking trinkets and dolls, photo ops with costumed aliens, psychic readings and a kit to test whether your neighbor or boss is from outer space. Many peddled their books, DVDs or artwork of all things otherworldly.

Chase Masterson, a singer and actress, was signing autographs for fans who remembered her role as Leeta on several episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

"I am having a very interesting time exploring the theories that are set forth here," she said. "Some are completely outrageous but some are very intriguing."

The festival was being organized for the first time by the city of Roswell, after the local UFO museum hosted it for more than a decade.

Mayor Sam LaGrone said he was happily surprised by the turnout — and the economic boost it would give the city.

"I've never seen so many cars in town," he said.

[honest_news]

"I keep wondering----If visitors from another planet were here, and if they continue to come visiting here, why do they try to sneak around and not be seen? Why don't they "go public"? ... They would land a ship in a very public place, and seek to speak with our leaders. You know, 'Take me to your leader.' That is not such a far-fetched idea."

Posted by cathysw


Cathy:

Haven't you ever heard of the Prime Directive (aka Starfleet General Order One)?

[the_quietman]

I know the cover-up is true because I witnessed an identical cover-up on Long Island in the late 60's. A saturday newspaper had a clear photo of the saucer over Hempsted that I had watched manuvering late friday night and then printed a retraction sunday. If it had not been a summer weekend the it likely would not have been printed at all.

[berniepeders]

superlezbo-

I would think that someone with two degrees would be able to spell "surely" and "girl". Apparently I'm mistaken.

[antoniof123]

Too funny..... :)

[cathysw]

I keep wondering----If visitors from another planet were here, and if they continue to come visiting here, why do they try to sneak around and not be seen? Why don't they "go public"? It seems to me that real visitors from other worlds would not sneak around, kidnap an individual here and there, and never have anything more than that sort of contact. They would land a ship in a very public place, and seek to speak with our leaders. You know, "Take me to your leader." That is not such a far-fetched idea.
CSW

[brianbwb-2009]

"If aliens visited Earth, I think that it would be more like "The Day The Earth Stood Still" than like "Independence Day." king16x

Check out, if you get the chance "Farewell to the Masters", the original story upon which "the Day..." was based, FAR more interesting ending, that was changed due to fear of the government response by the film company

[Geneius]

I understand that Elvis, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny were there too.

[honest_news]

Any life form capable of interstellar travel would be advanced enough to avoid detection by humans -- even if they experienced some cataclysmic event.

The stories surrounding the "little men with large eyes" are so much folklore. Much more likely, an experimental Air Force aircraft -- possibly a "flying wing" variant -- crashed, and the military understandably decided to squelch the reports and the rumors... and in typical fashion they managed to botch the squelching.

But hey -- what better venue for conspiracy theorists than some interstellar intrigue out in the middle of the desert, complete with dead aliens and dead witnesses, tight-lipped military brass and flying saucer remnants that have all mysteriously vanished. It gives us something to dream about, even if the sci-fi fantasy is shaded by more than a little paranoia.

[shanev137]

If higher life forms ever crashed on this planet it would have no doubt been a mistake on their part. It's highly unlikely that other life forms would even be remotely interested in our sick race.

[gmond]

"They're Here" refers to poltergeists.

[rray52]

How to serve man.

[hawksprings]

IT'S A COOKBOOK!!!

[king16x]

It's disappointing that Roswell has such a sideshow atmosphere. I wish that people with an interest in science and science fiction--like Bill Gates, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg--would create a serious UFO attraction in Roswell.

[king16x]

If aliens visited Earth, I think that it would be more like "The Day The Earth Stood Still" than like "Independence Day."

Arthur C. Clark had an interesting spin on it in his novel "Childhood's End." I'm surprised that Steven Spielberg hasn't made that into a movie!

[Hybdiesel]

Heck they are here now, in the white house. They can't hear us yelling. Maybe some day we will be able to communicate with them.

[jetranger7]

US BORDER PATROL HERE, I'LL NEED ALL UFO ALIENS TO SHOW THEIR GREEN CARDS, OR YOU'LL FACE DEPORTATION BACK TO PLANET PLUTO, WHERE YOU MOST LIKELY CAME FROM !!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR DO I NEED TO GET AN INTERPERTER TO TELL YOU IN YOUR WEIRD LANGUAGE,,, LETS SEE YOUR GREEN CARDS --- NOW !!!!!!

[drummer94]

Oh GREAT! MORE illegal aliens. THAT ought to tie-up congress for a while.

The above photos look like my former in-laws

[peacethinker-2009]

Yes, that's another thing, if they were coming to earth, they wouldn't hide or sneak around. They'd just show up and be dominant, like kick the door in and say "What up you pathetic little ignorant animals", you know, like we do the animals all over the world with our weapons that allows us to relatively easily kill anything we want.

[peacethinker-2009]

Oh I think there's life out there somewhere, I just don't think they're coming to or near earth. There's way too much equipment on earth and in space looking around for them to be zooming around near by and not be noticed, and I mean scientifically noticed.