A key promotional centerpiece for this year’s Burien UFO Festival (BUFO) — a large inflatable flying saucer — was deflated overnight after the generator powering it was abducted.
The theft occurred at the Dog Park at SW 152nd Street and 6th Ave SW in Downtown Burien, according to BUFO founder John White, who reported the loss of a Honda generator valued at just under $2,000.
“The UFO deflated because some thief stole my little generator Friday night,” White told The B-Town Blog. “So Burien isn’t as safe and as warm and fuzzy as you might think.”
White’s inflatable display was intended to promote the upcoming Burien UFO Festival (BUFO), returning to Olde Burien on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Despite the setback, White said he isn’t letting the incident ground his efforts to build buzz around the festival.
“I got another generator and I’m gonna try again,” he added.
The Burien UFO Festival (BUFO) was founded in 2014 by White to commemorate the release of “The Maury Island Incident,” a film he executive produced about a historic 1947 UFO sighting near Burien. The incident is believed by some to have sparked the first reported encounter with the so-called “Men in Black.”
The event — which will run in Olde Burien on Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — will feature a vibrant mix of music, costumes, live art, food trucks, beer gardens, kids’ activities and science-meets-paranormal programming, all centered around themes of Outer Space, UFOs, the Paranormal, and Men in Black lore.
Vendors, Artists, Sponsors Wanted
Vendors of all things UFO/UAP, alien, paranormal, or Men in Black-related are still being accepted. Artists, writers, creators and businesses are also encouraged to apply or get more info by emailing hoku.alex@gmail.com, or checking out their Facebook page here.
White said the theft hasn’t dampened the community’s spirit — even if his saucer took a hit.
“The flying saucer has deflated and dogs are pissing on it,” he quipped, “but we’re not giving up.”
Soon to be found at a RV camp nearby by overwhelming odds, maybe John can pay the building next door for extension cord usage instead but it inevitably would stolen as well.
I know it is a pain, but I wouldn’t leave another generator there overnight.