re has been a lot of hue and cry among netizens for over a month who were set to 'Storm Area 51' after a University student, Matty Roberts posted a Facebook joke event. But Roberts didn't predict that about 2 million people would show virtual interest for venturing into highly secure US military area. event eventually morphed into Alienstock festival as more people grew interested. However, as per US media reports, it turns out that only 3,000 showed up on set date.

rural Neva town of Rachel was turned upside down as y waited in anticipation. And just night before Alienstock festival, locals put up hand-painted templates writing " Alienstock" to keep people away from town.

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Natives turn down event

Following this, locals lobbied county commissioners to close highway to prevent event from happening or at least block off five residential ros. Earlier on September 3, Lincoln County issued final event permit. But later y h to declare states of emergency. Ultimately locals posted on Rachel's website asking people to t come to town.

As per earlier media reports, initially Roberts, Connie West (owner of an inn in Rachel collaborated to organize event yet Roberts and his friends dropped out considering risk of managing so many in such a small town of 50 people. Calling Rachel a small town is an understatement. town is bereft of everything including gas stations, street lights, unreliable cell service and only store and inn h gone out of service. Residents stay re with stocks of food and gas long away from cities out of ir own choice. A resident named Part Jordan said media that he was earlier a pilot in Vegas. He chose to live in town because he was tired of city. This explains difficulties involved in organizing an event which h probability of being flocked my millions!

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What happened on day of Alienstock?

Still, a few thousand showed up with mobile vans camping around town. As y were prohibited to enter place, y inste took pictures with guards and some ran like Japanese manga character Naruto in desert (following Robert's post). Media spotted some visitors who started earning ir small share of fortune by selling tin hats foiled in shape of imaginary extraterrestrial species. re were ors who came with alien costumes, goggles and what t to make place look like a real Alien festival.

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Residents down with debts post Alienstock

expense for organizing Alienstock was reportedly estimated to be $250,000 which was t a joke for a town with a shoestring budget. Eric Holt, Lincoln County Emergency manr, told US media that total bill for county is $200,000 to bring in about 300 officers as well as supplies to support m. County commissioners are dipping into Land Act Fund as well as an emergency fund to shore things up. Having declared a state of emergency earlier in summer, Lincoln County is also hoping to get some of money reimbursed by state.

Similarly, Connie West owner of inn in Rachel said to media that she mortgd her house to arrange for mobile toilets and or arrangements for festival. This was a big deal for a small town like Rachel. Yet next day, visitors started to clear up place. authorities were on to clear dust and debris left from camps. Wher next year, people will visit Rachel again still remains a question.

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