Roswell, New Mexico, Preps for 65th Anniversary of Alien Incident
Roswell, New Mexico, might be just another desert town in the middle of nowhere, a pleasant enough oasis, but the sort of place people leave – as did actress Demi Moore and the late singer, John Denver – except it’s famous for one very bizarre incident. A UFO crashed there. Or did it?
Conspiracy Theories at Denver Airport
Did a UFO Crash in Roswell?
The headline from the Roswell Daily Record of July 8, 1947, says it all: “RAAF [Roswell Army Airfield] Captures Flying Saucer on Ranch.” By the next day, the military changed the story from saucer to weather balloon but UFO enthusiasts were unleashed and rumors of alien autopsies and cover-ups are hotly debated to this day. It put the city on the map, and put its annual UFO Festival on a lot of buck-lists. This year’s celebration runs from June 29 through July 1.
UFO Festival: June 29 – July 1
The town has always cashed in on its notoriety – UFO souvenirs can be purchased all over Roswell, fitting for a city that includes an alien image on its official seal. Even the local newspaper sells mugs featuring its famous headline (just $9.99) while the International UFO Museum of Roswell sells everything from alien earrings, alien T-shirts and even alien candy (Martian Eggs, described as gourmet mint chip malt balls).
This year’s festival should be a good one – the city fathers have allocated $50,000 for the event which will include a parade, live entertainment, an Alien Run, costume contests (with separate contests for pets), and much more.
How to Get to Roswell – Airports and Airlines
Roswell is located on Interstate 70, or you can fly there – the local airport is served by a single commercial airline but there are more options at the next closest airports in Lubbock, Texas (170 miles away), and Albuquerque, New Mexico (200 miles away).
- Albuquerque (ABQ): Served by American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United and US Airways
- Lubbock (LBB): American Eagle, Southwest and United
- Roswell (ROW): Served by American Eagle
Roswell – More than Aliens and UFOs
Don’t think Roswell is a one-dimensional tourist town: locals also proudly sponsor a Chili Cheese Festival and a Zombie Walk, but UFOs are so much a part of life in Roswell that ads for its annual Fiddle-Griddle celebration feature an alien sporting an “I love BBQ” apron.
