ELMWOOD – The 2026 Elmwood UFO Days is almost upon us, complete with new events and merchandise celebrating the village’s ties to the unexplained.

In its 48^th year, UFO Days promises a weekend packed with family fun, UFO-themed events, live music, festival food, and much more July 24-26. Highlights include the popular UFO Sighting Bus Tours, special guest speakers and presentations, live music featuring Crimson Theory and Big Deeks, a garden tractor pull, classic car show, craft and vendor fair, water fights, chicken poop bingo, tractorcade ride, EPC Wolves Fun Run (sponsored by the track team), pickleball, pancake breakfasts, fireworks, the return of the UFO Days Royalty Coronation, and the grande parade.

Elmwood Area Community Club board members Amy Bechel, Mary Cormican Kelly and Holly Larson are excited for not only the traditional UFO Days favorites, but the introduction of some new or upgraded events. In fact, a new website ufodayselmwood.com is now available, with schedules, information and opportunities to volunteer and donate.

This year, the ECC in collaboration with the Elmwood School District invited kids in grades 5-12 to submit on essay with the theme “Why I love Elmwood.” The authors of the essays chosen (Hannah Bleskacek, Paige Ginsbach and Arlen Holt) will ride on the UFO Days float in the grande parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26.

“The theme will change yearly and will be introduced during third quarter after state testing is complete,” Cormican Kelly said.

This year marks the return of the UFO Days Royalty, spearheaded by Larson. After COVID, it was tough to find candidates but two are running this year: Olivia Knegendorf and Nora Fish.

“They have already been so excited and selling raffle tickets in a mini competition,” Larson said. “One queen and one princess will be crowned, with the coronation on Sunday after the parade in the auditorium. It’s very meaningful and offers great opportunities other than sports.”

The community can meet the candidates during a special ice cream social Thursday night, held in collaboration with Citizens State Bank’s community dinner 4:30-6:30 p.m. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, the candidates will host a Creative Corner craft project at American Legion Park.

“The ladies want to do something simple and sweet and I think it will be a great addition to our kid activities,” Larson said.

The candidates plan to participate in as many UFO Days activities as they can; they will be seen out and about volunteering throughout the weekend.

New in the souvenir stand this year are 2026 UFO Days apparel and alien-themed windchimes, ornaments, beach towels and dish towels. A new information booth will be stationed next to the souvenir stand, complete with maps and a chance to pin your hometown (or planet) on the map. The kids will enjoy new inflatables and fun activities, including a free duck pond courtesy of Cheryl Johnson, of Ellsworth.

Raffle tickets cost $5 a piece of five for $20 (you can also get one with the purchase of a button). First prize is $500, and second and third receive $250. The drawing will be held after the parade, but you need not be present to win.

The women wanted to highlight the efforts of Elmwood Public Library Director Nick Andrews, who has curated a plethora of UFO-themed activities for the festival. At 7 p.m. Friday, teams of four are invited to enter the puzzle competition at the Elmwood Auditorium (323 W. Winter Ave.) for a free will donation. Those who enjoy creating can take part in the UFO Make and Take at the library throughout the weekend. The library will also host Putt Putt and yard games from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.  

Food favorites such as the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast (8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday) and of course, UFO burgers and brats are on the menu this year, along with some familiar faces and new additions: Serrano’s (Mexican food), Eat O’Clock (Asian food), Mike’s Gyros (from Elmwood), Marlee’s Bake Shop (from Ellsworth) and The Lunch Box.

This year’s Craft & Vendor Market has expanded from one to three markets, thanks to volunteer Gilda Bour, Bechel said. Not only will the market be open 5-10 p.m. Friday, but two more markets are planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Saturday, each with different vendors and artisans, along with a few who will be present for all three.

“We are excited and appreciative of all her work,” Bechel said.

This year’s grand marshals, who will lead the parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, are Tony & Dawn Baier.

“Every year we get recommendations from the community club or residents,” Bechel said.

Tony emcees the UFO Days parade each year (for more than 30 years) and has been Santa’s helper when he visits Elmwood for over 40 years, missing only two or three years. Tony and Dawn have owned a mini storage business in town for 29 years, Larson said.

“Tony was a traveling salesman for a while and saw all sorts of places and there was nowhere better than here, he said,” Larson shared. “Dawn has worked at Elm Valley Veterinarian Clinic and for Mark Anderson Industry and just retired Jan. 1.”

Tony also served on the school board and called Dawn his right-hand woman. They have on daughter, fostered three children and are the proud grandparents of two. Both have lived in Elmwood their entire lives.

The fireworks scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday will honor Ric Sailer, who died Dec. 31, 2025. He and his wife Mary served as the parade grand marshals in 2018 and worked at Sailer’s Food Market & Meat Processing for years before son Jake took the reins. According to his family, Sailer loved fireworks all year long, but especially during UFO Days.

Volunteers

UFO Days wouldn’t happen without the hard work and dedication of a small group of volunteers. Bechel, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, said UFO Days takes up a lot of their lives and their families’ lives. Larson was drawn to volunteer because of that dedication. She has lived in Elmwood for three years.

“I think it’s a closeknit community in a really beautiful area,” Larson said. “It’s a really strong school system here, and that was a big draw for me. All the parents cheer for all the kids because everyone knows everyone else. It’s still a small-town feel.”

Cormican Kelly, who has lived in Elmwood for five years, called the community support for the schools “incredible.” Bechel asked her to serve as the EACC’s treasurer.

“As scattered as our meetings are, everyone always has the most genuine heart and the most genuine interest in supporting the community. We might take 50,000 different tangents, but we will get there,” she laughed.

Bechel thoroughly enjoys Elmwood’s distinction as the UFO Capital and the events tied to it.

“I like the speakers, the bus tours and the star gazing when we can get that. I like the whole alien aspect, the quirkiness,” she said.

“We all have such diverse backgrounds and talents, that working together and always having the community as that one major focus,” Larson said. “There is something nostalgic about a community fair, seeing people come together.”

Those wishing to donate to the Elmwood Area Community Club can do so online at ufodayselmwood.com or by mailing a check to EACC, PO Box 10, Elmwood WI 54740.