Roswell Throws 60th Anniversary Alien Bash

By Pamela Mortimer

Apparently, the truth is still out there. During the 60th anniversary celebration of the infamous 1947 UFO crash landing at Area 51, visitors to Roswell, New Mexico might just find it.

"The Roswell Incident", as it became known, occurred in July 1947, just outside the city limits. W.W. "Mack" Brazel, a local rancher, went out to check on his sheep and found some strange debris. When discussing his find with neighbors, several suggested that Brazel may have found pieces of a flyer saucer.

Soon after, the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) issued a press release stating that pieces of a "crashed disk" were recovered nearby. The Roswell Daily Record ran a front page story claiming that a flying saucer had been captured. The story spread like wildfire. A second, revised release was soon sent out from RAAF, stating that the recovered material was a weather balloon, not a flying disk as had been previously reported. The controversy exploded, complete with suspicions of a government cover-up, and Roswell stepped into its role of Alien Capitol of the world.

The Amazing Roswell UFO Festival and 60th Anniversary of the Roswell Incident will be held July 5-8, 2007. The four-day event will feature guest speakers, tours, live entertainment, authors, alien-related celebs, family-friendly activities, and perhaps even an alien abduction or two. The City of Roswell, which obviously takes pride in its celebrity, will be coordinating the annual festival. 2007 UFO Festival Committee is working alongside Roswell Mayor Sam LaGrone to create an event that will be entertaining to everyone – casual spectators and conspiracy theorists alike.

"This year, we want the festival to be all-inclusive. We invite everyone with an interest in UFOs, aliens and outer space to be a part of the festival as a presenter, a guest, or both," said Mayor LaGrone. City officials predict 50,000 visitors to this year’s festival.

In addition to the annual festival, Roswell is in the midst of planning a UFO-themed amusement park. The park, tentatively called "Alien Apex Resort", will contain an indoor rollercoaster that takes passengers on a simulated alien abduction. At least it’s supposed to be simulated. The privately managed park could open as early as 2010.

For those who are wondering if the festival is right for them, the city's website should put their minds at ease. It says: "Roswell has something to offer all of our special visitors, whether from this planet, or from a distant galaxy."