Area 51-adjacent 'Alienstock' Festival potentially destined for disaster

Storm Area 51 may have started out as an innocent joke when Matty Roberts created the Facebook group, but he now intends on realizing his pipe dreams of a Storm Area 51 festival by capitalizing on its virality in one gutsy—and perhaps brainless—move. In a matter of months, Storm Area 51 has went from a meme to an actual music festival dubbed Alienstock. The UFO-themed festival is slated to take place the same weekend of the original storming of Area 51 on Sept. 19-22.

Alienstock’s official website states, “We created the Viral Event, ‘Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.’ After receiving mass support, we decided to create an experience that celebrates Aliens and the Unknown!”

The website further states, “We want to host a Festival in Rachel, NV.. the closest town to Area 51. They can’t stop us from gathering and celebrating Aliens! This event is taking place whether we set up or not- it’s basically its own entity now.”

However, the residents of Rachel, Nevada are less than happy about the news. With a population totaling less than 100, the town of Rachel has already warned potential attendees against making the trek to Alienstock’s destination—both cautioning against the town’s harsh environment conditions and making it clear that its residents will not be afraid to protect themselves and their property.

Rachel’s website states, “There is no gas and no store. The Inn is booked for that weekend. If you plan on attending the event you must be experienced in camping, hiking and surviving in a harsh desert environment and have a vehicle in good shape. You must be prepared to be completely on your own for food, water, gas etc.”

“WARNING: A dubious group claiming a connection to chaotic events like Burning Man and the Las Vegas Electric Music Festival has taken over this event. They threaten to ‘take over Rachel’ and claim that the residents are ‘on board,” the town’s website notes. “The residents were not asked and are not on board and will certainly not allow their town to be taken over. Law enforcement will be overwhelmed and local residents will step up to protect their property.”

H/T: Vice