The 2026-27 Elmwood UFO Days Queen Olivia Knegendorf (left) and Princess Nora Fish.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO Royalty candidate Olivia Knegendorf, who will be a freshman at Elmwood High School in the fall, is interested in a mechanical engineering career. She hopes to inspire people to know they can do anything they put their minds to.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO royalty candidate Nora Fish is going into eighth grade this year. She hopes to one day become a pediatrician. She said Elmwood is an amazing place to call home: a small town with big opportunities.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Olivia Knegendorf was the first UFO Days Queen crowned since 2021. Nora Fish will serve as the UFO Days Princess, representing Elmwood for the 2026-27 season.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The UFO Royalty candidates embrace after the coronation. They spent the weekend together attending UFO Days events, interacting with the community and selling raffle tickets. Together, they sold $1,300 worth that will go toward scholarships, the royalty program and Elmwood Area Community Club outreach.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Pierce County Historical Association curated a display showcasing all the news articles about UFO sightings and UFO Days celebrations for viewing at the Elmwood History Center.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Pierce County Historical Association curated a display showcasing all the news articles about UFO sightings and UFO Days celebrations for viewing at the Elmwood History Center.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO Days 2026 Grand Marshals Tony & Dawn Baier were introduced at the UFO Days Royalty Coronation, held Sunday after the parade in the Elmwood Auditorium.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO Police Chief Darren Ekholm and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office pledged to protect Elmwood from an alien invasion.
A record breaking 19 teams entered the UFO Days puzzle contest, hosted by the Elmwood Public Library in the Elmwood Auditorium. First place went to Puzzle Doctors, second place to Jigsaw Jammers and third to Mothership Mentalitie.
The Elmwood Fire Department flying saucer toss is always a hit, with people lining Main Street hoping to catch one.
Elmwood Police Chief Darren Ekholm and the Crain-Ottman American Legion Honor Guard led the 2026 UFO Days Parade Sunday, July 26.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Tony & Dawn Baier served as the 2026 UFO Days grand marshals. This year, Tony took a break from emceeing the parade to ride in a convertible.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
American Legion 207 Auxiliary was represented in the 2026 UFO Days Parade on Sunday, July 26.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Jeremy Socha, author of “U.F. Elmwood, A Cosmic Piece of the UFO Puzzle,” was interviewed by a podcast team in the Elmwood History Center July 26.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Staying Put royalty looked ready for a tropical vacation. Orville Wood and Joy Carrell represented Spring Valley, while Donna Lien and Maxine Monett-Huber represented Elmwood.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The EPC Wolves Marching Band brought festive flair to the UFO Days Parade, performing beautifully despite the heat.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The EPC Wolves Cheer Team was a crowd favorite during the parade Sunday.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Ellsworth Funsters were a colorful addition to the UFO Days Parade, with fun outfits and buckets of candy.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Aliens took over Elmwood this weekend, making their way onto many floats, vehicles and apparel.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The North Hudson Pepper Fest royalty is always an enthusiastic, peppy participant in the parade.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The 1976 Elmwood Raiders Softball team, who were the state runners-up that year under Coach “Cubby” Huber, made a special appearance in the UFO Days Parade.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The El Paso Marching Band brought a large coalition of drummers to Elmwood’s Main Street, along with a keyboardist and vocalist.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Cottage Grove (Minn.) Strawberry Fest royalty jumped into the alien vibes with their UFO Days float.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Elmwood Expos took on the Plum City Blues Sunday, then sent players through the parade to sell raffle tickets.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
The Baldwin Windmill Days royalty had some other worldly friends hitch a ride on their windmill float Sunday.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Half-Throttle Saloon’s float featured not only aliens but friendly Wisconsin cows.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
Arlen Holt, Paige Ginsbach and Hannah Bleskacek got to ride on the UFO Days float after their “I Love Elmwood” essays were selected by the Elmwood Area Community Club.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO Days Queen candidate Olivia Knegendorf greeted parade goers before the coronation in the Elmwood Auditorium.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
UFO Days Queen candidate Nora Fish greeted parade goers before the coronation in the Elmwood Auditorium.
Sarah Nigbor / Pierce County Journal
