In May 1950, Evelyn and Paul Trent captured two photographs of a mysterious object hovering in the sky near their farm outside McMinnville, Oregon. The images became some of the most famous—if controversial—evidence of extraterrestrial life forms.
Whether or not the Trents caught unidentified flying objects on film that night, almost 75 years later, the town of McMinnville celebrates the possible alien visit with UFO Fest every May.
For three years, Ziply Fiber has been a sponsor at the downtown McMinnville festival, which draws thousands of visitors, from UFO true believers to festivalgoers who just want to have a good time.
“The Pacific Northwest is already known for Sasquatch sightings and all kinds of folklore,” said Emily Matsuda, Co-Director of the McMinnville Downtown Association. “There’s definitely a Venn diagram where Bigfoot enthusiasts and UFO enthusiasts overlap, and that intersection comes together here at the UFO Festival.”
For Ziply Fiber Community Development Manager Kevin Guillen, the festival—which includes a street fair and costume parade as well as presentations about paranormal activity, a screening of a documentary about the Trent sighting, a live podcast recording and space alien fun run—is a place to catch up with his earthling friends from other community events, like the KGW Great Toy Drive.
“I see people in great spirits,” Kevin says. “That’s a big part of it. It makes it so much easier to connect.”
“I think the word reunion is a really great way to describe it,” Emily says. “There are vendors that have been at this event for a decade who show up every single year and they say, this is my favorite event...it is my most fun thing that I do all year. I love hearing that.”
The festival holds a special place in Emily’s heart. She brought her own family there for years before moving behind the scenes as leader of the MDA.
“It’s been a huge tradition for our family,” she says. “It’s an exhausting weekend to be on the event-organizing side of it, but it brings me so much joy to be a part of something I’ve loved for so long and to know that I’m bringing that joy to thousands and thousands of people in my community. I’d say the only downside is that there is absolutely no time for me to be in costume.”
Ziply Fiber also partners with the McMinnville Downtown Association for all its summer events, including the weekly farmers market and MacFresco, a weekend festival where businesses spill out into the street for dining, sipping and strolling.
“We’ve had a wonderful time,” Kevin says. “Every year we’ve come back and learned from the last year how to better engage.”
“We’re always grateful to our sponsors, and Ziply Fiber has been a wonderful addition to our sponsor list for the last few years,” Emily says. “We look forward to continuing that relationship.”
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