We come in peace. Or more accurately, we come to party! Welcome one and all to the Roswell UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico. Roswell has long been famous for its extraterrestrial connections. In the summer of 1947 (possibly late June or early July) it is alleged that the remnants of an alien spacecraft were found on the outskirts of the town. Included in the findings were rumored to be the bodies of the occupants, odd unnatural metal scraps, and strange unknown writing. Throughout the following years, what was originally said to be radar tracking balloon has been the subject of numerous inquisitions, hypotheses, conjecture, hoaxes, movies, books, television inquiries and more. Now over 60 years later, believers allege a massive cover up by the United States government to hide what they feel was in fact the crash of an alien spaceship. Out of this group of believers (together with skeptics and non believers) has arisen a folklore that is the subject of the now famous UFO Festival.
The Roswell UFO Festival attracts around 50,000 revelers each year to this remote desert town, doubling their population for the four day festival. Held right around Independence Day (to approximate the crash anniversary) it is most definitely for those with an independent streak. Even without all the scheduled events, the crowd alone is absolutely wild. The costumes range from the relatively mild (funky glasses or tee shirts) to the outrageously insane (you just have to see the pictures below to believe it). From Vulcans, to Grays, to strange new and imaginative creatures, you’ll never know what to expect next. And with their costume procession and requisite contest, everyone gets a chance to strut their stuff and get their duly owed applause. Each day features a little something different to please all visitors, Earthly or otherwise. Plenty of booths dot the paths hawking all sorts of crazy knickknacks to take home to remember your trip. There are also UFO workshops and symposiums, pet costume contests, parades, concerts, fireworks (it is 4th of July after all), and a vast variety of other entertainment. Roswell guarantees a good time will be had by all.
Festivities typically kick off each day around 9:00 am and keep going strong until at least midnight. One great way to see the enormity of the fiesta is to take a hot air balloon ride and get a bird’s eye (or ET’s eye) view of the grounds. Then stroll the crowds, grab a bite to eat at one of the alien themed restaurants, and have an out of this world time. The Roswell UFO Festival is tame enough for families with kids but exciting enough for a group of college buddies looking for a unique get together vacation. So grab your Spock ears and your sense of adventure and head out to Roswell, New Mexico for a festival that promises that what you see isn’t always what you get.
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