If you are searching for something unusual on Oregon’s spring calendar, McMinnville once again offers an experience that leans fully into the strange.
The 26th annual UFO Fest is set to take place in McMinnville, transforming the Yamhill County community into a gathering point for those intrigued by unidentified aerial phenomena, government secrecy claims, and the cultural legacy of one of Oregon’s most famous photographs. The event, hosted in partnership with McMenamins and centered around the historic Hotel Oregon and surrounding downtown venues, has grown into one of the most recognizable UFO-themed festivals in the country.
This year’s speaker lineup includes the return of filmmaker and investigative journalist Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell. Corbell is scheduled to appear on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m., where he will conduct a live, on-stage conversation with a guest described by organizers as a sworn government whistleblower who has recently testified before Congress regarding UAP, or unidentified anomalous phenomena.
According to event materials, the guest will be making their first public appearance outside of official proceedings. Organizers characterize the appearance as a candid discussion about UAP-related knowledge, the personal impact of disclosure, and the professional and personal consequences that can follow high-profile testimony. Promotional information describes the evening as a focused, one-night interview format intended to give attendees a deeper look at the realities faced by individuals who step forward with claims involving classified programs and national security matters.
While UFO Fest has always featured an element of spectacle, the speaker series has become a central draw. A UAP Pass grants access to all scheduled presentations as well as a question-and-answer forum, offering attendees an opportunity to engage directly with speakers. Organizers encourage early ticket purchases, noting that past presentations have sold out.
The event itself blends the serious and the playful. Over the years, UFO Fest has become known not only for lectures and panel discussions but also for costumed parades, themed vendors, and a citywide embrace of extraterrestrial imagery. Storefronts and venues participate in decorating contests, and visitors often arrive in elaborate alien-inspired attire. The festival’s longevity suggests that Oregon’s appetite for the offbeat remains strong.
McMinnville’s connection to UFO lore traces back decades, anchored by a well-known photograph taken near the city in 1950 that continues to spark debate. The annual festival grew from that legacy and has since evolved into a broader exploration of the unexplained, drawing enthusiasts, skeptics, researchers, and the simply curious.
For residents of Southern Oregon and beyond, the festival represents a different kind of weekend getaway. Rather than coastal drives or mountain hikes, UFO Fest offers a dive into conversations about secrecy, disclosure, and the boundaries between science, speculation, and belief. Whether attendees arrive seeking answers or simply a memorable experience, the gathering underscores Oregon’s reputation for embracing the unconventional.
As May approaches, McMinnville prepares once again to host a crowd willing to entertain big questions about what might be in the skies above. For those looking to experience the unique, the weird, and the undeniably odd, UFO Fest promises a community event unlike any other on the state’s calendar.