We’d like to extend our appreciation to all the individuals who made the UFO Fest a success. Events like these are a group effort as it takes a village to make it happen! There were many that contributed to the festivities, so we would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all participants and acknowledge those who helped but may not be recognized.
“Vicki” makes the rounds and keeps us informed of changes, responses and things we should all know about, when it comes to pertinent details involving organizational efforts, by updating participants about situations and circumstances that can affect the outcome. Feedback is essential and should not be misinterpreted as critique, as responses to what we are trying to accomplish are vital to success.
Those of us that participated are grateful for all the efforts made to put Piedmont (the UFO Capital of Missouri) back on the map, despite inhibitions by some that perceive this as an OTHER world event. Critics may feel some of us have gone totally BONKERS, but they are missing out on a cultural opportunity, to invite outsiders into a world beyond this one because the 1973 UFO Flap happened and remains an historical episode.
One critique I received was “the UFO FEST should be bigger”. Critiques are constructive and we welcome them because they help us to improve in different ways. We agree that the UFO FEST should receive more attention and community participation than it does currently.
We understand that some individuals apparently have issue with the event, but you are outnumbered. Some critics don’t wish to acknowledge this as they may feel flying saucers and other-world aliens trespass on specific religious, scientific and political borders. These views or not unlike established norms, because unidentified flying objects break the rules science has established for us. UFOs go beyond conventional borders. How dare they!
I would like to thank members of the First Friday Art Walk group that were especially helpful in trying to give Main Street in Piedmont a face lift, encouraging business owners to gussy up their store fronts, giving volunteers permission to paint their doors. That accomplish a goal without it coming across as critique. Many small businesses struggle to make ends meet. Also participating businesses include those giving their permission to let the Art Group volunteers, accent the exterior of some businesses with UFO and space oriented embellishments.
Special thanks to Turnbough’s for giving their permission to put up a 4 x 4 x 10, so that we could construct a decorative directional sign on the corner of Main (Hwy 34) and Elm Street. Out of towners don’t know how to navigate different locations residents are familiar with, like the Greenway. Thanks to Gary Beiseman for making the support for the directional signs, so it could be functional. Gary also hung decorative UFOs outside the museum in case the REAL other-world aircraft didn’t show up for their OWN event!
Patrick Baron graciously loaned the use of his phone booth, so that ET could PHONE HOME. Patrick actually paid someone to help move it and set it up. Not only that but he replaced glass in the booth, cleaned and rewired it. He also purchased new lights so it could remain lit all night long. In case some of you didn’t know, the payphone inside the booth was from Piedmont! Too we extend our gratitude to Scott Cash, a historical society member who donated a suitable extension cord so we could hook the phone booth up to an electric outlet at Green’s Sport Shop. We also received permission to have the booth located between Green’s Sports Shop and Heartland Furniture and Appliance. This was truly a team effort, because THAT’s what it takes!
We further extend our gratitude to Jessica at the Nature Cottage that overlooks the UFO Park, as that was a popular destination for many attending the UFO Fest. Too there are several residents that remain unnamed who contributed in different ways to make this event a success including the contribution all the speakers made at the museum, some of which traveled a distance on their own dime. They were not paid and there was no admission charge for this event.
Please keep this all of this in mind for next year as it takes a village to make events like these, a success. Think about this individually and as a contributing business in regards to the future of the UFO Fest.
We appreciate all who contributed to the event’s success as we look forward to next year’s UFO Fest.
Dawn Sperry Allen