High Bridge NJ Alien Invasion Weekend a nod to Howard Menger

HIGH BRIDGE – If you find someone who looks like they’re from another planet in town this weekend, you might not be crazy.

It’s Alien Invasion Weekend.

The borough’s historical committee is hosting its Howard Menger Weekend, more commonly known as Alien Invasion Weekend by the town’s residents and businesses. Focusing on one of the borough’s most notable residents, the weekend centers around the legacy of Menger, a High Bridge resident who in the 1950s claimed that he interacted with aliens from Venus since he had been 10 years old in the town nestled in the hills of northern Hunterdon County.

Menger wrote several books on extraterrestrial life, including “The High Bridge Incident.” In this book, Menger wrote about his encounters with UFOs in the borough, bringing High Bridge into the spotlight of the alien speculation universe.

Kelly Matos, a borough councilwoman, explained why the town cares about Menger.

“He’s part of our history,” Matos said. “He’s made a huge impact on the history of the town. It’s one of the things High Bridge is known for.”

The weekend kicks off on Saturday with a free screening of the movie “E.T.” at 8 p.m. at The Commons on the Wye.

Additionally, businesses and residents will celebrate the weekend by taking part in a house decorating contest. The contest is hosted by Women for High Bridge, with judging on Saturday and the winner being named on Sunday.

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From 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, the borough’s historical committee will host two guest speakers at the Solitude House on River Road to discuss Menger’s accounts and legacy. One of the speakers is Joseph Foster, a member of the Mutual UFO Network.

Businesses along and near Main Street also can take part in the fun by coming up with deals and specials that relate to aliens, as they did last year for the event’s inaugural weekend.

Email: sdimaggio@mycentraljersey.com

Sal DiMaggio, a rising senior at Montclair State University, is a reporter interning with MyCentralJersey.com.