The tiny village of Kecksburg in Mt. Pleasant Township is once again the center of attention this weekend for its Kecksburg UFO Festival, which attracts true believers in unidentified flying objects and Big Foot — as well as those who enjoy food, vendors, games and sharing stories with UFO investigators, researchers and hunters.

The 19th annual festival at the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department, 5128 Water St., Mt. Pleasant Township, began Friday and concludes Sunday, with activities from noon to 5 p.m.

People lined the streets Saturday to see the costumed characters walking in the Kecksburg UFO Parade, as well as the bed race.

Those with a big stomach can try their hand — or appetite — at the UFO Alien Hot Dog Eating Contest at 12:30 p.m. Those who want to see how many hot dogs they can eat get a free T-shirt.

While the Scots compete in the tossing of cabers — like a tapered telephone pole — their Scottish Highlands games, the Kecksburg UFO Festival has its hay bale tossing contest at 2 p.m.

Those wanting to learn more about UFOs can join a program from 1 to 4:30 p.m. where experts in UFOs and Big-Foot will make presentation

The festival commemorates what is believed to have been a landing of an unidentified flying object in the woods near Kecksburg on Dec. 9, 1965. The sighting of the object and the aftermath of the hauling away of the purported UFO is shrouded in mystery.

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