Those interested in a local alien mystery can take part in the second annual Carbondalien Festival on Friday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Carbondale.

The Carbondalien Festival will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the infamous incident in Russell Park in Carbondale that many believe was a UFO crash landing.

The festival lets local residents “tell the story and history and celebrate the uniqueness of Carbondale,” said Stefanie Colarusso, Carbondalien Festival organizer.

Last year over 3,000 people attended the festival, according to Colarusso.

“We were so pleasantly surprised with all the support from the local community,” said Colarusso. With putting on the festival, “we are trying to draw more tourists to spend more time in Lackawanna County,” she said.

It takes a full year to work and plan the event. There are local historians and business owners on a large committee to help put the festival together, according to Colarusso.

“It is so unique and interesting. The history and mystery is what drew me to it,” Colarusso said about being involved in the festival.

The Carbondale UFO legend began on Nov. 9, 1974, when three teenage boys told police they saw a whirring object fall from the sky and land in a mine pond, illuminating the water. The military, police, UFO enthusiasts and curious onlookers descended upon the city in a frenzy.

Officials said the glowing object was a battery-powered railroad lantern that a scuba diver recovered from the pond. But speculation about what happened that day has continued for over five decades.

The festival started as arts-focused, including a local playwright, live music, artists trail and alien of the year design to “involve the artists as much as possible,” said Nicole Curtis, Carbondalien Festival organizer.

This year’s alien mascot is named Dale. Dale is a green extraterrestrial with a mining helmet and pickaxe wearing Carbondale Area School District colors created by local artist Adam Watson. The goal is for a new mascot of a different alien to be designed by a new artist each year. The festival will also include an art walk featuring 12 local artists inspired by the festival, according to Curtis.

This year, the Russell Park Experience, a theatrical presentation that takes place at the alleged crash site and put on in partnership with the Lackawanna Historical Society, has expanded to include more scenes. Shows will be held Saturday, Nov. 8.

The show is an “immersive interactive experience,” said Curtis. It was such a success last year that tickets sold out in 20 minutes, according to Colarusso.

“The story was treated with respect,” said Curtis. Those attending “truly embraced what happened here,” she said. People came from New York, New Jersey and Maryland to attend the festival last year, according to Curtis.

“With how well it went last year we wanted to add more cool components to it,” said Lisa Hebden, Carbondalien Festival organizer.

With last year’s success, the festival has expanded into two days. The festival will kick off on Friday, Nov. 7, with a light parade through downtown Carbondale from the PNC Bank, 47 S. Main St., to the YMCA, 82 N. Main St., at 6 p.m.

Those attending the parade are encouraged “to come dressed up and have fun with it,” said Hebden. There will be a costume contest and prized announced for favorite costumes at the end of the parade, she said.

Following the parade, a Supernova Concert will take place at the Hotel Anthracite, 25 S. Main St., at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature performers including Tom May from the Menzingers, Universal Girlfriend, R.E. Barnett and Angel House.

The festival will also include an “Intergalactic Passport” this year that highlights local businesses around Carbondale. When participants get one or more stamps on their passport and return back to the Landing Pad, they will receive a special 2025 collectible item, according to Curtis.

Free supernatural speakers will present during the festival on Saturday, Nov. 8. Gene Sticco will present “Infinity Disclosed: From Soviet Design to U.S. Deniability – The UFO Blueprint Washington Can’t (or Won’t) Disclose.” Tom Carey will discuss “My (35 Year) Search for Roswell,” Eric Mintel will present “Paranormal Projection Room” and Jim Krug will talk about “Presidents and UFOs: The Untold Story.” Kat Bolus and Alexander Monelli will present the WVIA movie “The Day Carbondale Stood Still” with a question-and-answer session following the film.

The festival will have an expanded vendor market this year and include other local businesses and organizations. Wallenpaupack Brewing will debut a new beer called Crash Site. There will also be a Free Alien Swim at the Carbondale YMCA and Alien Mini Golf at the Carbondale Public Library.

The Carbondalien Festival is free to attend, with an exception for the tickets needed to be purchased for the Supernova Concert and the Russell Park Experience. Tickets for the Supernova and the Russell Park Experience are $15 each.

For more information about the Carbondalien Festival and to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s website at carbondalienfestival.com.

If you go

What: Second annual Carbondalien Festival

When: Friday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Downtown Carbondale

Info: For a full schedule of events and ticket information, visit the festival’s website at carbondalienfestival.com.