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9th Annual UFO Festival at McMenamins Hotel Oregon



Featuring RICHARD DOLAN, author of UFOs and the National Security State and host of “Sci Fi Investigates” series

and ROBERT NICHOL, producer of Star Dreams, a feature documentary about crop circles

McMINNVILLE, Ore.—Wednesday, April 23, 2008—McMenamins Hotel Oregon will host the 9th Annual UFO Festival (May 16 & 17, 2008) that explores and celebrates the possibilities of life beyond Earth. We are honored to host Richard Dolan as our keynote speaker at Friday evening’s Forum and Q&A to discuss the relationship between UFO research and the United States military. The evening will be moderated by Peter Davenport, director of the National UFO Reporting Center in Seattle , WA . We are equally as pleased to host Robert Nichol, a producer and filmmaker with Genesis Communications based in British Columbia , Canada , for a screening of his documentary Star Dreams about the mystery of crop circles, followed by questions on Saturday morning. Tickets are $10 per event or $15 for a combination ticket, available at www.ufofest.com.



Richard Dolan is the author of a 500-page study entitled UFOs and the National Security State, the first volume of a two-part historical narrative of the national security dimensions of the UFO phenomenon from 1941 to the present. Included are the records of more than fifty military bases relating to violations of sensitive airspace by unknown objects, demonstrating that the U.S. military has taken the topic of UFOs seriously. Dolan holds master’s degree in history from the University of Rochester and a bachelor’s degree in history from Alfred University . He earned a Certificate in Political Theory from Oxford University and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. Prior to his interest in anomalous phenomena, Dolan studied U.S. Cold War strategy, Soviet history and international diplomacy. Our speaker has appeared on numerous television documentaries for the History Channel, Sci Fi Channel, as well as BBC and European networks. He appears regularly on radio stations throughout the U.S. , including “Coast to Coast,” and has been a featured speaker at conferences internationally. In 2006, he hosted a six-episode series, “Sci Fi Investigates,” produced by NBC for the Sci Fi Channel.



On Saturday morning, Robert Nichol will screen Star Dreams, his 85-minute documentary about the crop circle phenomenon, and he will take questions afterwards. The film deals with the many possibilities of how these beautiful crop circles are created (more than 11,000 have been reported all over the world since 1980) and what they might signify, with commentary by top-rated ufology experts. Nichol is an award-winning director, producer and filmmaker with 25 productions to his credit. Nichol’s motivation is to encourage the development of a new spiritual consciousness while bringing about a new awareness for humanity’s purpose. Go to www.stardreams-cropcircles.com for additional information on the documentary and the filmmaker.



Skeptics and believers alike are invited to enjoy all the fun events happening throughout the weekend – an outdoor festival tent and McMenamins gift shop, live gypsy/punk/tango/hiphop music from New York City’s own Luminescent Orchestrii, a truly outlandish alien costume parade, a one-mile alien fun run (participants are encouraged to wear glow-in-the-dark costumes!), an alien pet costume contest, a live performance of “The Thing” by Willamette Radio Workshop and more! And have a pint or two of our Alienator Ale, handcrafted especially for the event. To cap off the weekend, attend our Alien Costume Ball for live rock ‘n’ roll by Big Mama Gayle & Her Sugar Daddies and a chance to win prizes for the most comical or well-done outfit. All events are free and open to all ages, unless otherwise noted in the schedule below. Additional information can be found at www.ufofest.com.



Rooms at McMenamins Hotel Oregon are sold out – please refer to the McMinnville Downtowners Association or the Chamber of Commerce for alternate local lodging. Hotel Oregon is also accepting reservations for our 2009 event.



Please note: Richard Dolan and Robert Nichol are available for interviews, radio and television appearances on Friday, May 16. Contact Renee Rank, McMenamins Marketing Director, at (503) 492-5457 or ReneeR@ed.mcmenamin.com for scheduling and availability. See www.ufofest.com for additional photos and a video from our 2007 event, along with schedule details, festival history and beyond…





2008 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Our ticketed events will be held at the McMinnville Community Center ( 600 NE Evans St. ), just two blocks away from Hotel Oregon.



All events are free and welcome to all ages (unless noted).



Friday, May 16

SPEAKER’S FORUM & Q&A PANEL with RICHARD DOLAN and ROBERT NICHOL
Light refreshments will be available for purchase at the venue.
7 p.m. • McMinnville Community Center • $10 per person; tickets available online or at the door
(Or purchase a combination ticket for this forum and the screening on 5/17 for just $15)

LIVE MUSIC
7 p.m. • The Luminescent Orchestrii • As part of the Great Northwest Music Tour • Mattie’s Room at Hotel Oregon
7 p.m. • Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol • Cellar Bar at Hotel Oregon • 21 & over



1-MILE FUN RUN

Come in glow-in-the-dark costume for this quick sunset sprint (or walk) through downtown McMinnville! A portion of proceeds will go to Henderson House, a local nonprofit organization that educates families and the community about domestic violence.

7 p.m. • Starts at Lower City Park , ends in front of McMenamins Hotel Oregon • $10 per person; pick up an entry form at Henderson House (610 Se 1st St. , McMinnville) or online • Prizes will be awarded for best costumes!

Saturday, May 17

OUTDOOR FOOD & CONCESSIONS TENT
Shop for McMenamins souvenirs and pick up something to eat or drink before, during and after the day’s events.
9 a.m. ‘til 6 p.m. • Evans Street

SCREENING OF STAR DREAMS FOLLOWED BY A Q&A with FILMMAKER ROBERT NICHOL
Light refreshments will be available for purchase at the venue.
9:30 a.m. • McMinnville Community Center • $10 per person; tickets available online or at the door
(Or purchase a combination ticket for this screening and the forum on 5/16 for just $15)

UFO COSTUME PARADE
All are welcome to join this fun, rousing, rocking parade! Just gather your group together and register – it’s that simple.
1 p.m. • Third Street • Download and submit Registration and Release PDFs to participate

ALIEN PET COSTUME CONTEST
No one wants to leave Fluffy and Fido out of the fun. Dogs, cats, turtles, snakes… let’s see who wins the prize in ’08!
2 p.m. • U.S. Bank Plaza on Third Street ; registration sheets available at the event

A PERFORMANCE OF “THE THING” BY WILLAMETTE RADIO WORKSHOP
Don’t miss this wonderful “live theater” act in the style of ‘30s and ‘40s audio drama – truly fun and fascinating to watch, listen to and laugh with.
2 p.m. • Mattie’s Room at Hotel Oregon

LIVE MUSIC
Our perennial favorite is back to perform his selection of alien-inspired songs.
7 p.m. • Kirby Swatosh & The Moon Rock Patrol • Cellar Bar at Hotel Oregon • 21 & over

ALIEN COSTUME BALL • With music by Big Mama Gayle & Her Sugar Daddies

Join in the fun – costumes, conga lines, catcalls and more. You may just win a prize!
7 p.m. • Mattie’s Room at Hotel Oregon • 21 & over





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About McMenamins Hotel Oregon

Set in Oregon ’s idyllic wine country 40 miles south of Portland , McMenamins’ historic 1905 hotel in McMinnville is the perfect retreat for guests wanting to uncork and unwind. Cozy guestrooms, a comfortable restaurant and pub, live music on weekends, the legendary Rooftop Bar and more offer visitors from far and wide several reasons to simply relax. Hotel Oregon is also home to the annual UFO Festival, now in its 9th year and the second-largest alien-related gathering in the nation! More than 5,000 visitors convened in downtown McMinnville for the 2007 festival and parade. The festival began as a way to honor the 1950 Trent UFO sighting in which two local citizens witnessed and photographed an unknown craft hovering in the sky above, said to be some of the most credible images of UFOs to date. See www.ufofest.com for more information.



About McMenamins Hotels, Pubs & Breweries

The name “McMenamin” is well known throughout the Pacific Northwest , signifying a great place to enjoy handcrafted ales, wine, spirits and pub fare with family and friends. The dream began more than 20 years ago in the hearts of brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin. With 56 properties (and counting!), the siblings are considered to be pioneers of the Pacific Northwest microbrew, historic hotels and music venue industries. Go to www.mcmenamins.com for additional information.