Area 51 has always been an object of interest,  fascination, and mystery. People have always wanted answers. The public wants closure, what happens behind the closed chain-link gates? What is there to hide? Is the truth out there? Planned for September 20th, 2019, two million participants are hoping to infiltrate Area 51 and find out for themselves.

It all started on Facebook as a mere joke by twenty-one year old college student, Matthew “Matty” Roberts. He posted an event listed as: “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us”. Due to its ambitious motive, the event caught the attention of thousands, then hundreds of thousands, and now millions. Not only did it catch the attention, it gained a following. Although some people were joking along, there are groups who are more than willing to lay down their lives for the proof and conspiracies that may be hidden within the walls of Area 51. Currently, two-million are listed as going, and 1.5 million are listed as “interested”. Although many posts under the subject were simply quips and jokes, they caught the eye of the United States Air Force. Under all of these jokes and remarks are people who are serious about executing the plan. Matty has responded to this, urging those who are set on going not to, as it would be too dangerous and the results can be perilous and possibly result in injuries. Instead, Matty plans on throwing an extraterrestrial themed festival, that is being hailed as Alienstock. The festival is set to start on the 19th of September through the 22nd. It will take place in Rachel, Nevada, the closest town to Area 51.

There has been heavy interest in the subject matter, resulting in multiple conspiracies and the hunt for answers. Area 51 is a classified United States Air Force (USAF) base. It is said that the base is used for experimental aircraft, and weaponry testing. The USAF acquired the base back in 1955. No one knows for sure how the base gets its name. In 1955 many people started reporting UFO sightings near the site of the facility, however it was the USAF testing out U-2 aircraft. Ever since the notorious Roswell incident in 1947, where a UFO crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, people have wanted to know whether or not we are truly alone in our universe. The government seemingly cleared up the evidence. If it were truly the remains of a weather balloon like the government suggests, why would there be a reason to cover it up? This only brought about suspicion and questions by the residents, and further, people from around the globe.

There’s no telling on whether or not people will truly show up to the site, but if they do, there will be authorities standing guard in case things get out of control. Lincoln County sheriff, Kerry Lee, did not take the post seriously when he first heard about it, saying “it was texted to me one evening in late July. My first reaction was to laugh! But within about a week it started blowing up, and the more it did, the more we realized this could be something bigger than we thought”. The Lincoln County Police Department is not taking the post as a joke, they are keeping their eye on it, and they will be on call in case anything happens, with other counties throughout the state alongside them.“With the amount of distances we have and the lack of resources throughout the state, it’s pretty much all hands-on deck” said Sheriff Lee. Other sheriffs reached out to Lincoln County PD, seeing what they could do to help. Lee has stated that the FBI is involved in the matter, as well. The United States Air Force has responded, warning the people who plan on showing up that they will execute procedures that may result in harm of the raiders if things get out of hand.

 As of now there is no telling whether or not how many participants will follow through, or whether or not they will follow through. If they don’t, they can always go to Alienstock. There is less to risk if people are willing to go to the festival, rather than storm the highly guarded facility presumably meant to keep anything to do with Area 51 or what happened at Roswell from the public. The air force won’t open the gates and play Blink-182’s “Aliens Exist” with a flashing neon sign saying “come in, we’re open!”. Alienstock will have plenty of music, and there won’t be a risk of getting shot.