LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Between two alien-themed events near Area 51 this weekend, tens of thousands of people were expected to show up in Rachel and Hiko. But only a fraction actually showed up.
Now, two businesses are left on the hook financially.
In Rachel, around 3,000 people attended Alienstock near the Little A'Le'Inn. Event organizer Connie West says the event was far from a bust and was a great experience. But she also says she lost a lot of money. West says she had to mortgage her house and take out a loan against her family's business to put on the festival.
In Hiko, at Area 51 Basecamp near Alien Research Center, attendance really missed the mark. Even with world-renowned DJ Paul Oakenfold headlining the first night of the event, attendance was so low that organizers canceled the second day of musical acts.
Some vendors said the confusion over a cancellation notice by Storm Area 51 idea man Matty Roberts may have impacted business and attendance.
As for "storming" the base, that did not happen. In total, there were seven misdemeanor arrests through the weekend and no major incidents were reported.
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