Photo courtesy of McMenamins
McMenamins is hosting its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 24th annual UFO Fest this May.
The festival is inspired by the 1950 UFO sighting on a farm outside McMinnville. The story goes that on the night of Thursday, May 11, 1950, Evelyn Trent went out to feed her animals and was surprised by a large, disc-shaped object hovering silently in the sky. She ran to the house to fetch her husband, Paul, yelling for him to grab the camera. The photographs taken by the Trents are still some of the most noteworthy images of a UFO.
Each year, believers, skeptics and every being in between are invited to come out and celebrate extraterrestrials at the annual McMenamins UFO Fest.
Best of all, most of the activities during the festival are free to attend. Enjoy a parade, costume contests, live music, vendors, speakers and more.
2024 McMenamins UFO Fest Free Events
The 2024 McMenamins UFO Fest is taking place Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18 along with a special kickoff night on Thursday for early arrivers.
This festival has a bunch of free events held in and around McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. Most activities are open to all ages.
Here’s the event schedule:
Thursday, May 16
Pass Pickup and Live Music
6-11 p.m.
Enjoy live music with Revelations and Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol in Mattie’s Room. You can also pick up your Interstellar Access Pass. This event is free.
Friday, May 17
Into the Parabnormal with Jeremy Scott
10-11:30 a.m.
Jeremy Scott interviews some of the featured speakers at this year’s festival. This event is free.
Speaker Presentation
12 p.m.
Suzanne and Scott Ramsey discuss the Aztec, New Mexico UFO crash landing. Tickets are $25.
Screening of Trent UFO Documentary
12 p.m.
Learn about the UFO sighting that inspired this festival. This event is free.
Speaker Presentation
3 p.m.
Ron James presents “Beyond Accidental Truth: UAP and the Nature of Reality.” Tickets are $25.
Landing Party
4-10 p.m.
Join a glow-in-the-dark party with live music, food and beverages and UFO merchandise for purchase and McMenamins Passport stamps in the tent. This event is free to attend.
Speaker Presentation
Ryan Graves discusses “The Future of UAP Disclosure and Discovery.” Tickets are $30.
Live Music
7-10 p.m.
Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol perform a night of kickoff tunes in Mattie’s Room.
Saturday, May 18
Space Alien Fun Run
8:30 a.m.
Put on your costume and go for a morning run with your fellow alien enthusiasts. Registration starts at $30.
Speaker Presentation
9:30 a.m.
Presenter Garrett M Graff will discuss “The US Government’s 80-year Quest to Understand the Mystery of UFOs.” Tickets are $25.
Kids Adventure Run
10 a.m.
Kids will run through Joe Dancer Park completing outer space missions and receiving alien swag. This event is free.
The Landing Zone
10 a.m.-11 p.m.
This is where you’ll find food, beverages, a gift shop, passport stamps and live music.
Street Fair
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
McMinnville’s downtown streets close to vehicle traffic letting you shop the out-of-this-world vendors.
UFO Festival Parade
12 p.m.
Watch the wildly fun and colorful UFO Costume Parade as it careens and cartwheels through downtown McMinnville.
Alien Costume Contest
2 p.m.
Show off your best galactic costume and join the contest. Sign up is at th passport table, from 10 .m. to 2 p.m., until full. It is free to participate.
Alien Pet Costume Contest
2:30 p.m.
A short walk from Hotel Oregon, the Granary District hosts a contest for dogs donning their extraterrestrial best. All other friendly pets are welcome, too. It is free to participate.
Speaker Presentation
3 p.m.
Roderick Martin presents on “Unmasking the UFO Taboo: Project B.L.A.C.K. and the Hidden Truths.” Tickets are $25.
Live Music
7-10 p.m.
Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol in Mattie’s Room. This event is free.
Speaker Panel and Q&A
7 p.m.
Ask the experts your burning UFO, paranormal and alien questions. Panelists include Ryan Graves, Garrett M Graff, Ron James, Roderick Martin, Scott and Susan Ramsey and James Clarkson. Tickets are $25.
Alien Costume Ball
8:30-11 p.m.
Come in costume and show off your dance skills with live music from Jay Si Proof. This event is free.
The UFO fest is taking place at McMenamins Hotel Oregon, 310 NE Evans St. in McMinnville. For more information, visit the event website.
Want more Portland freebies, events and deals? Subscribe to my newsletter (only one email a day), and follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
You may also like:
Portland Rose Festival Free and Cheap Events
Portland Living on the Cheap is a member of 