2022 McMenamins UFO Fest

Photo courtesy of McMenamins

McMenamins is hosting its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 22nd annual UFO Fest this May.

The festival is inspired by the 1950 UFO sighting on a farm outside McMinnville. The story goes that around 7:30 p.m. at night on 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.

Every year, believers, skeptics and every being in between are welcome 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, interviews and more. 

2022 McMenamins UFO Fest Free Events

The 2022 McMenamins UFO Fest is taking place Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, 2022. This festival has a bunch of free events held in and around McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. These activities are open to all ages.

Thursday, May 12

Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol.

Friday, May 13

Into the Parabnormal with Jeremy Scott

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Jeremy Scott interviews some of the featured speakers at this year’s festival. 

Landing Party

4-10 p.m.

Attend a glow-in-the-dark light party. Food and beverages, UFO merchandise and McMenamins Passport stamps are available in the event tent. Live music takes the stage with High Deductibles from 5-7:30 p.m. and My Siamese Twin from 8–10 p.m. 

Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol.

Saturday, May 14

Vendor Booths

10 a.m.-8 p.m.

McMinnville’s downtown streets close to vehicle traffic letting you shop the out-of-this-world vendors. There will be an array of people dressed in costume for the festival.

Hotel Oregon Tent + Live Music

10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Order food and beverages, peruse the gift shop, get your passport stamped and and enjoy live music at the event tent. 
The tent will host the Alien Costume Contest and Alien Costume Ball.

Alien Costume Contest

Noon-1:30 p.m.

Show off your best galactic costume and join the contest. You can also enter your dog into the contest. Sign up starts at the Hotel Oregon tent at 10 a.m.

Kids Fun Run

3:15 p.m.

Kids get to kick off the UFO parade with a fun run along the route. Wear your wackiest alien attire or come in casual clothes to join in on the fun. Sign in is open 2:30-3 p.m.

UFO Festival Parade

3:30 p.m.

Watch the wildly fun and colorful UFO Costume Parade as it careens and cartwheels through downtown McMinnville.

Alien Pet Costume Contest

4:30 p.m.

A short walk from Hotel Oregon, Buchanan Cellers hosts a contest for dogs donning their extraterrestrial best. all other friendly pets are welcome, too. 

Live Music

5-7 p.m.

Enjoy local band Falcon Heart under the tent. 

Live Music

7-10 p.m.

Enjoy live music with Kirby Swatosh & the Moon Rock Patrol.

Alien Costume Ball

8:30-11 p.m.

Come in costume and show off your dance skills with live music from Sweet n’ Juicy.

There are also some paid events, including talks with renowned experts of the unknown. View the full schedule of events.

The UFO fest is taking place at McMenamins Hotel Oregon, 310 NE Evans St. in McMinnville. For more information, visit the event website. 

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