UFO fans trek to Roswell
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-roswell8jul08,1,4698319.story?coll=la-news-a

UFO fans trek to Roswell
Thousands come in peace -- and in fervor to ponder alien life.
From the Associated Press


ROSWELL, N.M. ? For folks who truly believe a UFO and its crew of
bug-eyed aliens came crashing down here 60 years ago, rest assured:
There's evidence you're not alone.
At least 35,000 people have descended on Roswell this weekend for the
2007 Amazing Roswell UFO Festival ? filling every hotel room and
nearly doubling the southeastern New Mexico town's population for a few
days.

The festival, which began Thursday, is a mixed bag of oddities, some
whimsical, some serious-minded: live concerts (one headlined by a band
with a computer-generated "alien" drummer), costume contests, a Main
Street parade and lectures that ponder such mysteries as body snatchers
and "What does NASA really know?"

The festival emerged in the 1990s to commemorate and debate the July
1947 crash of a purported flying saucer, which the government has
maintained was a top-secret weather balloon. Those who believe in "the
Roswell incident" say the government stubbornly is conspiring to hide
the truth about the events of that day and, more broadly, the existence
of extraterrestrial life.

Al Dooley, 59, of Seattle said he wasn't sure what happened back then
but had gone to the festival learn more.
"I didn't come for the carnival atmosphere. I came to listen to the
speakers," Dooley said. "I've always had an interest in UFOs. I've read
about them all my life."
Michael, who plays guitar in the rock band Element 115 and doesn't use
his last name, said he didn't merely believe the crash occurred.

"I know it," he said, as he handed out a business card. He said he hoped
Element 115 would one day be the house band for a theme park being
debated here ? featuring amusement rides, a concert hall and a
300-room hotel that would look like a flying saucer.
"I want to help them with that," he said. "I see millions and millions
of dollars in this place. They just need to know how to market it
right."
The city's convention center was swarming with vendors hawking trinkets
and dolls, photo ops with sexy costumed aliens, psychic readings and a
kit to test whether your neighbor or boss is from outer space. Many
peddled their books, DVDs or artwork of all things otherworldly.
Chase Masterson, a singer and actress, was signing autographs for fans
who remembered her role as Leeta on several episodes of "Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine."

"I didn't give it a lot of thought during the days I was on the show,"
she said, speaking of UFO theories and alien life. "I am having a very
interesting time exploring the theories that are set forth here?. Some
are completely outrageous, but some are very intriguing."