Hot-air balloons float over North Alabama during a previous Fyffe UFO Days celebration. Five balloons are expected for this year's festival, offering tethered rides and full flights.IF YOU GO• What: Fyffe UFO Days• When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; gates open at 9 a.m. (all times Central)• Where: Town Park, Graves Street, Fyffe, Ala.• Admission: Free• Phone: 256-601-9758• Website: www.Facebook.com/FyffeUFODaysSCHEDULE• 10 a.m. The Sharps• 10:45 a.m. Michelle Norwood• 11:30 a.m. Willing (The Phil Sexton Family)• 12:15 p.m. Willie Underwood• 1 p.m. Danny Lee• 1:45 p.m Stereo Revival• 2:30 p.m. Still Kickin' (with Ronnie Osborn)• 3:15 p.m. Jeff Martin and Caleb Chisenhall• 4 p.m. Payton Sells• 4:45 p.m. Picketts Charge (Fyffe FFA String Band)• 5:30 p.m. Thru the Roof (Heil Band)• 6:15 p.m. Falter• 7 p.m. Smoking Gun• 7:45 p.m. The Bert David Newton Band• 8:30 p.m. The Big Band (featuring members of former Southern Flight Band)
A town with a documented history of UFO sightings.
A celebration based on those unexplained events.
Barney Fife to keep the peace.
All three elements come together Saturday, Aug. 24, in North Alabama at the ninth annual Fyffe UFO Days.
For event organizers, UFO stands for Unforgettable Family Outing, and so far in the event's history, only hot-air balloons and the occasional helicopter have been airborne over the DeKalb County venue.
Town leaders say the celebration is more about family and community togetherness than it is aliens or flying saucers.
The legend of Fyffe's UFOs originated on Feb. 11-12, 1989, when more than 50 people in the town of fewer than 2,000 residents called the police department to report strange lights and shapes in the sky. The police chief and assistant police chief were among the eyewitnesses who lent credibility to the strange goings-on.
A former mayor began the festival in 2005 to give families an inexpensive way to have fun together. Admission is still free for the full day of live music, arts, crafts, children's activities and displays of antique tractors and cars. The Barney Fife look-alike will mingle with the crowd and may sing a few songs, organizers say.
Tethered rides in the hot-air balloons will cost $10. Full flights are $200, and reservations are needed.