Exeter UFO Festival offering Labor Day weekend fun, even for those who don’t want to believe

“We have found that the UFO festival is serious on the inside,” she said, “because we have world-famous UFO-ologists come and do speaking — and many people who are very serious about this come to be able to hear them speak and to ask questions and participate in that faction — and then on the outside, it’s a party.”

Those who want to believe can pay $35 to attend the full two-day lineup of presentations inside Exeter Town Hall. Everyone else can find other fun activities outside, many for free.

There is an alien costume contest and alien pet contest at noon on Saturday, followed by a late-afternoon dance party, then a free concert with jazz pianist Eric Mintel, who has performed at the White House, Kennedy Center, and United Nations and who also happens to be very into talking about ghosts, Bigfoot, and of course UFOs.

The annual festival marks the anniversary of the so-called “Incident at Exeter,” which refers to a well-known UFO sighting on Sept. 3, 1965, in nearby Kensington. Those who want to see that spot can take a guided trolley tour.

Cox said the festival used to draw a few hundred attendees each year, but this year organizers expect as many as 10,000 people. Proceeds help to fund the Kiwanis Club’s wide-ranging charitable work, from student scholarships to food and heating assistance, holiday gifts for families in need, and more, she said.

Pro tip: If you want to buy one of the Exeter Police Department’s commemorative patches, be sure to go on Saturday and bring $10. This year’s version features a bright green alien with an arm around Maple the comfort dog.

This story first appeared in Globe NH | Morning Report, our free newsletter focused on the news you need to know about New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles from other places. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.

Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.