UFO fest commemorates 'disc' crash

ROSWELL, N.M., June 25 (UPI) -- The city of Roswell, N.M., is taking the reins of the town's UFO festival, which this year marks the 60th anniversary of the mysterious crash.

The city is taking over control of the "Roswalien Experience 2007" to commemorate the mysterious crash of a "flying disc," as the U.S. military referred to it, at a ranch during July 1947, and the rumors of government coverups and alien visitors that surround the incident, the Roswell Daily Record reported Monday.

The International UFO Museum and Research Center, which ran the festival in previous years, will continue to provide activities for revelers, including guest speakers, conferences and workshops, the newspaper said.

Author, radio host and festival participant Guy Malone said speakers are coming from as far away as Britain, Turkey and France to discuss "how open the government is in other countries" when it comes to unidentified flying objects.

Away from the alien seekers, the city's Wool Bowl will host concerts, soccer, mud volleyball and dodge-ball tournaments and exhibitions from skateboarders and BMX riders, the Daily Record said.