Tin Foil Fans Rejoice: UFO meet this week
By Gregg Wendorf
Advance News Journal
Looking for new leaders, a lot of people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of benevolent aliens much smarter than we to hopefully show us how to defeat generative AI once it decides that human beings are a nuisance. What used to be named UFO (unidentified flying objects) among the populace has now been rebranded UAE (unidentified aerial phenomena” For the brainiacs, it’s actually Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, which is why so many people still go with the old “UFOs” when they want to discuss weird phenomena.
This week, to underscore the UFO popularity, the City of Edinburg will be hosting the 13th Annual Edinburg UFO Festival and Conference on April 4 – 6.
The festival will kick off Thursday, April 4, with an open mic event and a special screening of a UFO-themed film.
The press release from the City of Edinburg:
New Discoveries
Over the past five years, for people who remain convinced that alien aircraft parts are safe and guarded in Area 51, there have indeed been much progress made:
Here are some significant developments in the UFO enthusiast community over the past five years (since April 2019):
Increased Government Transparency:
2021: The U.S. government officially established the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG) within the Department of Defense. This move signaled a more open approach to investigating UFO sightings.
2022 & 2023: The Pentagon released several unclassified reports on UFO sightings, including some with intriguing video footage captured by military pilots. This fueled discussions and debates within the UFO community.
Focus on Scientific Investigation:
2020: Harvard University announced the Galileo Project, a private-funded initiative to explore unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) using a scientific lens. This lent credibility to UFO research within the academic community.
2022 & 2023: Several universities and research institutions launched their own UAP research programs, suggesting a growing interest in studying the phenomenon beyond enthusiast circles.
Debates and Skepticism:
Some leaked government reports, while intriguing, haven’t provided definitive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence. This has led to debates within the community, with some enthusiasts wanting more concrete evidence and others remaining hopeful.
Skeptics continue to argue that the sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, technological advancements, or misidentification.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult, though, for skeptics to explain some of the sightings made lately and in the past, now that the feds have released military video, no longer deeming them national secrets. The way some of the unidentified aircraft fly, they can’t be from planet earth. Not even a drone can fly like that.
YouTube has a lot of these videos uploaded for those who share an interest.
Edinburg UFO Event
The community is invited to participate in the free open mic Thursday at the Dustin Michael Sekula Library located at 1906 S. Closner Blvd.
This event will be hosted by Daniel Alan Jones and UFOlogist David Marler. During Open Mic Night, individuals are encouraged to share their personal UFO encounters, with the RGV Chapter of Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) presenting local sighting videos. Following the open mic session, the audience will be treated to a screening of “The UFOs of Soesterberg,” a 1979 UFO incident witnessed by soldiers at the Soesterberg Air Base.
On day two, Friday, April 5, the city will host its Edinburg UFO Festival at the Edinburg Promenade Park located on McIntyre St. between 8th and 10th Street. This free, family-friendly event includes a tin foil station, an alien autopsy maze, a laser light show, a reptilian show, as well as a costume contest, laser tag, out-of-this-world rides, and activities. They will also be hosting many local food and merchandise vendors as well as conference speakers who will be attending the festival for a special meet and greet with attendees. Organizers close out the night with an unforgettable drone show!
On day three, April 6th, the Conference will feature several UFO Experts with extensive research on the topic of UFOlogy at the Region One Education Service Center located at 1900 W. Schunior Street. The conference is a ticketed event. Guest speakers will present their investigative work on the UFO phenomena and share their expertise with the attendees.
Daniel Alan Jones, the event MC, is the host and producer for The Vortex, a show that explores the mysteries of the world and beyond. Jones has been researching unexplained phenomena for over a decade, investigating strange sites, conducting numerous interviews, and providing media coverage of several events. His new book “Aurora” chronicles over a century of history about UFO sightings and alien encounters, going back to a Texas legend from 1897.
Noe Torres, an Edinburg resident, is a recognized expert in the field of UFOs and the paranormal, an author, publisher, and former Texas State section director for the MUFON. Torres has appeared on several nationally broadcast television shows, including Travel Channel’s Mysteries of The Outdoors and George Noory’s famous radio show Coast to Coast.
Stacey Wright, esteemed UFOlogist, now directs both Arizona and Phoenix MUFON, having played a crucial role in the latter’s recognition as MUFON International’s Chapter of The Year, with 16 years of experience and certifications as a Field Investigator and STAR Team member, Wright’s contributions to UFO research include pivotal work on Roswell archaeological digs and the Phoenix Lights exhibit.
Michael Schratt, a private pilot and military aerospace historian, is renowned for his captivating lectures on “Mystery Aircraft” and covert propulsion systems. A featured speaker at prestigious events like “OSHKOSH” AirVenture, Schratt delves into classified “black programs” with firsthand insights from former military personnel. With a commitment to transparency, he tirelessly researches aerospace documents and advocates for public scrutiny of government programs.
With 34 years of dedicated UFO research, David Marler has emerged as a pioneering figure in the field. His acclaimed book, “Triangular UFOs: An Estimate of the Situation,” showcases his expertise, while his role as curator of historic UFO case files demonstrates his commitment to preserving UFO history. Honored with the 2022 UFO Congress’ Lifetime Achievement Award, Marler continues to lead the way in UFO research and archival preservation.
Benjamin Hansen, an experienced security and emergency management professional, is making waves in UFO research. With a Georgetown University Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management and a background in criminal investigation, Hansen offers a unique perspective on the societal implications of extraterrestrial contact. As a licensed pilot and seasoned television host for networks like Discovery and Syfy, Hansen is a sought-after expert in mainstream media and private research circles.
Following the conference, attendees who purchased tickets to the Edinburg UFO crash site will participate in a walkthrough hosted by Hansen. He will then conduct a sky watch that the attendees can see on a large screen.
Tickets for the Conference are priced at $30 in advance and $40 at the door, while tickets for the UFO crash site experience can be purchased for $60 in advance. Tickets are available at the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library or online at www.edinburgufo.com For additional information, please contact the Cultural Arts Division at 956.383.6246 or visit www.edinburgarts.com.