City to Plan UFO Festival

By A.J. Dickman
Roswell Daily Record
10-10-06

      In an attempt to end the turf wars that come with planning a city-wide event during the week of July 4, the City of Roswell will coordinate the 2007 UFO Festival.

The 2007 event marks the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Incident and the 10-year anniversary of the festival itself.

According to a press release from the city, it is the mission of the City of Roswell to unite the citizens of Roswell by attracting international visitors to an all-inclusive, entertaining and family-oriented event that celebrates the Roswell Incident of 1947.

Jack Swickard, president of the International UFO Museum and Research Center Board of Directors, said the board is happy about the city’s decision to step up to the plate.

“It has been our hope at the museum that the city would take command of the festival,” said Swickard. “We met with (Mayor Sam LaGrone) right after this year’s festival and he indicated that he wanted to get involved.”

Swickard said the museum took over coordinating the festival three years ago and it has not been profitable during that time.

“The museum has lost money on the festival over the years,” said Swickard. “It’s appropriate that the city organize it because the community has to back it 100 percent for it to be a success.”

Swickard said the museum staff can now focus on their role in the festival, rather than trying to organize the entire event alone.

“We will continue to provide the more serious side of the festival, such as guest speakers and discussion panels,” he said.

Swickard said the museum was preparing to launch an international fund-raising drive for the new museum, which will be built at the southeast corner of Main and Eighth.

“We have our fingers crossed and hope to break ground during the next festival,” he said.

A festival committee has been formed to lead planning efforts, with LaGrone serving as chairman.

The committee is currently accepting written proposals for festival activities, vendors, exhibitors, speakers and other entertainment. Proposals can be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 3234in Roswell or via email at festival@roswellufofest.com.

The deadline for activity, exhibitor, speaker and entertainment proposals is Oct. 25. The deadline for vendor proposals is May 23, 2007.

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See Also: Is The Roswell UFO Museum & Annual UFO Festival Becoming a Thing of The Past?