Main Street Roswell reports large turnout and sponsorship for 2025 UFO Festival
Summary
Main Street Roswell told council that the July 2025 UFO Festival drew heavy attendance across Main Street, received $50,000 in city sponsorship to Main Street and additional grants to partner organizations, and produced an estimated 10,000 museum visitors during the weekend.
Barb Gomez, executive director of Main Street Roswell, presented the 2025 UFO Festival report to the city council and credited broad collaboration between Main Street, the city special events team and community partners for strong attendance and wide media coverage.
"We had nationwide advertisement," Gomez said, listing radio, billboards, hotels and television coverage, and thanked city staff and volunteers for coordination. She told the council Main Street received $50,000 in sponsorship, GalacticCon received $10,000, the Miniature Museum $2,500 and the Roswell Weather Record $10,000; those funds supported free community entertainment across seven blocks of Main Street, two stages and multiple activities.
Gomez said the International UFO Museum reported almost 10,000 visitors during the festival weekend and estimated overall weekend attendance in the 10,000'20,000 range. She credited coordination with city staff, volunteers and partners for shifting the event from a city-run model to a community-led festival.
What happens next: Main Street and city staff said they will follow up with detailed attendance and financial reconciliation once final reports are complete. Gomez invited council members to upcoming planning meetings and thanked specific departments and staff for operational support.
