On June 24th, 1947, a private pilot and businessman named Kenneth Arnold flew out of the Chehalis Airport toward Yakima, WA. While flying over the small town of Mineral, he spotted 9 strange aircraft flying in and out of formation around Mt. Rainier.
KENNETH ARNOLD’S SIGHTING
Arnold clocked the speed of these mysterious objects at approximately 1500 mph – an impossible speed for any known aircraft at the time. Arnold radioed ahead of his landing and told his tale. The story spread like wildfire and a few days later, he was asked by a newspaper reporter to describe the way these objects flew. Arnold compared their flight pattern to the action of “skipping a saucer across the water” and soon the press coined the term “flying saucer” – a catch-all term that was used to describe any strange object spotted in the sky before the more clinical term “UFO” gained prominence a few years later.
LISTEN TO KENNETH ARNOLD SPEAK ABOUT HIS FAMOUS UFO SIGHTING IN 1947!
In the months that followed Arnold’s sighting, thousands of flying saucers and discs were reported across the country in an unprecedent wave of sightings now known as “The Summer of the Saucers”.
The fantastic nature of Arnold’s sighting along with his unimpeachable validity as an eyewitness kickstarted the modern era of UFOlogy.
Today, there are few images or ideas more universally accepted than that of the “flying saucer”. As a global and cultural meme, it rivals the likes of the Golden Arches or Mickey Mouse in terms of instant recognition. And it all started here in Chehalis, WA.
The Chehalis Flying Saucer Party celebrates this historic moment through compelling speakers, great music, unique vendors, museum displays, a one-of-a-kind Saucer Drop, a film festival – and so much more!
Come join us!
Besides Kenneth Arnold’s historic “flying saucer” sighting in 1947, Lewis County has seen its fair share of UFO-related events – from the unexplained to the cultural! Bizarre crops circles, benevolent nudists from the planet Venus, crazy meteor-riding critters, mystery men in flying suits, celebratory saucer drops, modern UFO murals, and even a Flying Saucer Café!
lewis county has a rich ufo history
Crop Circle in Chehalis, WA - 1994
Crop Circle in Chehalis, WA 1996
Crop Circle in Lewis County - 1990s
Another Crop Cirlce in Lewis County - 1990s
On March 28, 1950, Centralia resident Samuel Eaton Thompson claimed to have encountered a group of nude ETs from the planet Venus. The Daily Chronicle 04-01-1950
Artist Marz Doerflinger captured the Nudists From Venus story in a live painting of a Pacific NorthWeird video production.
A bizarre creature was reported near Bald Mountain in Lewis County after a meteor crashed in 1974. The story appeared in Jim Brandon's 'Weird America' and has since become a popular piece of internet folkore.
Did some "crazy critter" arrive in Lewis County on this meteor? The Daily Chronicle 11-16-1974
The story of the "Crazy Critter of Bald Mountain" has inspired countless pieces of art, one of the very best is from local artist Valerie Herron.
In 1948, Chehalis resident Bernice Zaikowski spotted a "man with wings attached to his back" flying over her home. Bremerton Sun 01-21-1948
Another article about Bernice Zaikowski's "flying man". The Tacoma News Tribune 01-22-1948
The original "Saucer Drop" occurred during the Krazy Days festival in downtown Chehalis in the 1960s and 70s. It remained a distant memory until the Chehalis Flying Saucer Party revived it in 2019.
Hundreds of people would gather to catch "flying saucers" during the Saucer Drop - the tradition continues at the Chehalis Flying Saucer Party.
An original "flying saucer" from the original Saucer Drop - each saucer would contain a special prize for its lucky recipient.
Little is known about the "Flying Saucer Cafe" that was located in Chehalis on Market Street. We are still looking for a photograph of this fabled eatery. The Daily Chronicle 02-05-1960
Flying Saucer Cafe matchbook.
The legendary Yard Birds Shopping Mall used to sell flying saucers!
A corresponding eyewitness to Kenneth Arnold's flying saucer sighting?
Flying 'Something' Seen By Chehalis Motorist
A flying saucer gag to promote the Lewis County Air Festival.