They have come to see them aliens — and have a good time.
Some 1,500 people have invaded two tiny towns in Nevada for a weekend of “Storm Area 51”-inspired events.
Thumping techno music on Thursday night kicked off the festivals scheduled through Sunday in Rachel and Hiko, the pair of desert towns closest to Area 51.
Daniel Martinez danced along to the music in his wolf “spirit hood” and matching faux fur jacket. The 31-year-old drove more than six hours to Rachel from Pomona, California, to take part in the out-of-this-world festivities.
“Here’s a big open space for people to be,” said Martinez, a Pokemon collectible cards dealer. “One person starts something and it infects everybody with positivity. Anything can happen if you give people a place to be.”
On Friday, electronica DJ Paul Oakenfold will headline the event in Hiko.
The get-togethers were spawned by the viral “Storm Area 51” Facebook event, which saw more than 2 million people sign up to “see them aliens” at the once-secret Air Force base.
Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee said late Thursday that more than 150 people gathered within selfie distance outside Area 51 — which has long fueled speculation about government studies of space aliens and UFOs.
In anticipation of the potential crush of sightseers, the Air Force issued stern warnings about trespassing.
Lee said no arrests have been made.
“It’s public land,” the sheriff said. “They’re allowed to go to the gate, as long as they don’t cross the boundary.”
Eric Holt, the Lincoln County emergency manager overseeing preparations, said he believed authorities could handle 30,000 visitors at the two events in Hiko and Rachel, which had a combined population of 173 in 2010.
Organizers nixed the sci-fi-themed music festival AlienStock in Rachel, citing “lack of infrastructure, poor planning, risk management and blatant disregard for the safety of the expected 10,000+ AlienStock attendees.”
Last week, two Dutch tourists were arrested for trespassing and filming on federal property near Area 51. YouTube sensation Ties Granzier, 20, and Govert Charles Wilhelmus Jacob Sweep, 21, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to three days in jail after promising to pay nearly $2,300 each in fines.
With Post wires
