The New Mexico Travel GuyTravel Stories, Advice, and Photos from New Mexico ... and a few places beyond!
Some new friends from a galaxy far, far away

The Roswell UFO Festival: Everything you need to know about this quirky and fun event

Thank you to Perceptive Travel for publishing my article “Landing in Roswell for the Annual UFO Festival”

This week’s post is a relatively short one, as I’m providing a link to an article I wrote about the Roswell UFO Festival. The article is called “Landing in Roswell for the Annual UFO Festival” that was published in the March 2023 issue of the online travel magazine called Perceptive Travel. Since the article only used a portion of the content that I originally submitted, I’m also sharing (below) some additional photos I took during the UFO Festival in 2022 to give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to attend in 2023. It’s a fun event!

Welcome to the Roswell UFO Festival!

Welcome to the 2022 Roswell UFO Festival UFO
Welcome to the 2022 Roswell UFO Festival UFO

“Roswell Incident” Presentations at the Convention Center

Ben Hanson from the TV show "UFO Witness"
Ben Hanson from the TV show “UFO Witness”
Expert Panel at the Q&A Session: Ben Hansen, Melissa Tittl, Mike Bara, and Caroline Cory
Expert Panel at the Q&A Session: Ben Hansen, Melissa Tittl, Mike Bara, and Caroline Cory
A photo with Melissa Tittl after the Q&A Session
A photo with Melissa Tittl, co-star of Season 2 of the UFO Witness series during the “Roswell Incident” portion of the UFO Festival weekend.

A few aliens were walking around the convention center, one of which I recognized!

Hanging out with Grogu (aka Baby Yoda)
Hanging out with Grogu (aka Baby Yoda)

Galaxy Fair at the Convention Center

This one certainly grabbed my attention
This one certainly grabbed my attention

The Army Band on stage in the 98 degree heat
The Army Band on stage in the 98 degree heat
Kids having fun in the "Foam Zone"
Kids having fun in the “Foam Zone” at The Galaxy Fair
Some of the vendors outside of the Roswell Convention Center
Some of the vendors outside of the Roswell Convention Center

Invasion Station Alien Gift Store

Roswell Incident mural on the wall of Invasion Station Alien Gift Store
Roswell Incident mural on the wall of Invasion Station Alien Gift Store
Some of my fellow shoppers at Invasion Station
Some of my fellow shoppers at Invasion Station
I noticed that this bird had a broken beak in front of another store, but I didn't stop to ask questions
I noticed that this bird had a broken beak in front of another store, but I didn’t stop to ask questions

Roswell UFO Festival Activities at the Courthouse

Some interesting options to choose from at the food trucks ...
Some interesting options to choose from at the food trucks that were parked at the Courthouse.
... but I ended up playin' it safe with some tacos
I ended up playin’ it safe with some tacos

Here are a few photos of new friends I met at the Courthouse area of the UFO Festival

Making a new alien friend
One of many aliens concentrated around the Roswell Courthouse
An alien catching some rays in front of the Courthouse
An alien catching some rays in front of the Courthouse
Two more aliens inside the Roswell Visitor Center
Two more aliens inside the Roswell Visitor Center
The Alien from the movie "Predator" seemed to be enjoying the UFO Festival ... at least I think that's a smile
The Alien from the movie “Predator” seemed to be enjoying the UFO Festival … at least I think that’s a smile
An alien passing the time with some people watching on the street
An alien passing the time with some people watching on the street
A friendly reminder of the house rules in front of the Courthouse
A friendly reminder of the house rules in front of the Courthouse
Unfortunately, I was too slow to help this person.  The alien on the skateboard was too fast for me.
Just another abduction statistic in Roswell.
A photo of the Courthouse, and another alien
A photo of the Courthouse, and another alien
One of the handy props available to enhance your photos
One of the handy props available to enhance your photos
Another new friend in Roswell.  She assured me that she was smiling for the photo despite holding a bat.
She assured me that she was smiling for the photo despite holding a bat.
A few more tall aliens arrive at the scene
A few more tall aliens arrive at the scene
As the sun sets, some of the aliens really light up
As the sun sets, some of the aliens really light up

Dunkin’ Donuts Sign Twirler

No rest for this stoic sign twirler
No rest for this stoic sign twirler

Sky Elements Drone Light Show

A one minute snippet of the Sky Elements Drone Light Show that I captured from the Planetarium after finishing the laser light show featuring Pink Floyd’s classic album, Dark Side of the Moon.

Pet Costume Contest

Resigned to his fate to soon be on stage
Resigned to his fate to soon be on stage for the pet costume contest.
Another entrant for the pet costume contest at the Roswell UFO Festival
A fun crew gets ready for the contest
A fun crew gets ready for the contest

2022 MainStreet Roswell Parade

These visitors enjoy their front row seats for the parade
These visitors enjoy their front row seats in front of the Courthouse for the “2022 MainStreet Roswell Parade” of the Roswell UFO Festival

And the parade officially begins!

A video snippet of the start of the parade

Participants ranged from the solo unicyclist ...
Participants ranged from the solo unicyclist …
To a larger group of dancers ...
To a larger group of dancers …
... and everything in between
… and everything in between

Meeting some friends from a galaxy far, far, away.
More visitors from a galaxy far, far, away.

Thought for the Week

For this week’s edition of the โ€œThought for the Weekโ€, I predictably went with an alien theme. Here’s a quote from Stephen Hawking, the famous physicist and author who passed away in 2018. He had a brilliant mind and I must not, as much of what he wrote went over my head when I tried to read his books. But here’s a sentiment from Stephen Hawking that I can understand.

โ€œI believe alien life is quite common in the universe, although intelligent life is less so. Some say it has yet to appear on planet Earth.”
โ€” Stephen Hawking



Thanks for reading and happy travels!

Mark (The New Mexico Travel Guy)

Mark Aspelin, The New Mexico Travel Guy (www.newmexicotravelguy.com), is a travel writer and author of two books who has enjoyed a wide variety of adventures in his travels to over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. States.  His current project involves visiting EVERY town in his home state of New Mexico (thereโ€™s over 500 towns) and writing a story about each one.  When not traveling, Mark lives as a recluse in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

New Mexico Travel Guy at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *