Roswell Daily Record

Roswell, N.M. (Jan. 16, 1997) - The 50th anniversary of the Roswell Incident is expected to bring millions of dollars and worldwide exposure to the community, according to organizers.

The Roswell UFO Encounters Committee will present the third UFO Encounter July 1-6, but it will be a whole new event for the celebration of the golden anniversary.

The Encounters Committee entered into a contract with a Delaware limited liability corporation called "Roswell '97 The UFO Crash 50th Anniversary."

"We signed a contract with (the corporation) to raise us to a different level," said Stan Crosby, chairman of the committee. "They should bring millions of dollars into the community."

To accomplish this monumental task, Roswell '97 is planning to produce a major concert event and a worldwide television broadcast.

The concert is scheduled for July 5 at the 2,400-acre Brown and Brown Ranch just west of the airport property.

John Brower, manager and executive producer of Roswell '97, said they are talking with some of the biggest names in rock today, such as Sheryl Crow, Bush, Foo Fighters and LIVE.

He said as soon as sponsorship contracts are negotiated the musical talent will be signed.

Roswell '97 is in negotiations with Pepsi Co.

"They have expressed a great interest in participating," Brower said.

He expects the concert and two-hour television broadcast to cost at least a couple of million dollars to produce.

The television broadcast, which will be produced by renowned TV producer Ken Ehrlich, will not only include coverage of the concert, but sacred site remotes to indigenous peoples ceremonies, speakers and much more, Brower said.

"This is not just a rock concert, but a very global event," he said.

Roswell '97 wants to bring the FOX network into the fold and have it broadcast the worldwide television production because they have the most paranormal shows, Brower said.

He said Roswell '97, which is made up of Track Marketing, Folding Space Productions and Overland Entertainment, merged with the Roswell UFO Encounters Committee for the purposes of the 50th anniversary so there would not be any confusion.

"We are all working together to make the best event possible," Brower said.

Other events planned by Roswell '97 include:

1. Multi-day film festival - a retrospective on UFO-related films from "The Day The Earth Stood Still" to "E.T." to "Independence Day," as well as independent footage.

2. Worldwide web site - a site on the Internet that will be a launch pad to all Roswell '97 activities.

3. Internet world space link - a unique Internet-driven promotion that will allow people to beam their messages to space via the computer.

Brower said a percentage of the proceeds will go to the Save The Earth Foundation to support their work of providing research grants to major universities.

This is a global event, so what better organization to benefit, he said.

The Roswell UFO Encounters Committee will also be coordinating with local organizations the same events they have for the past two years with a few additions.

Some of the events include the UFO Expo at the Convention Center, speakers, a golf tournament, a banquet and the Crash and Burn Extravaganza.