ST. LOUIS--Fifty years after a series of UFO reports brought national interest to Southeast Missouri, a Missouri state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would make Piedmont, Mo. the UFO capital of Missouri.

State Rep. Chris Dinkins was born in Piedmont and now lives in Lesterville. She’s introduced House Bill 1261, which would carry no state financial impact, but would designate the town, which according to the 2020 Census had 1,897 people, as the UFO capital of the state. 

Between February and April 1973, Dinkins said there were 500 reports to law enforcement of unidentified flying objects, with a focus on Clearwater Lake.

Those sightings brought attention from around the country and inspired books and television programs that have investigated the claims over the years.

“There really isn’t much there besides lakes, rivers, streams and springs which bring thousands of people to the area each summer. With this bill we are hoping to provide another avenue to attract more people to our area,” Dinkins told the Missouri House Special Committee on Tourism last week.

The legislation comes as the Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a two-day event starting April 21 to mark 50 years since the sightings. “Close Encounters of the Piedmont Kind” features a parade, memorabilia, eyewitnesses and food trucks.

“We have been astounded by the interest in our upcoming spring festival themed around the 50th anniversary of the UFO incidents of 1973. People are planning to attend from all over the nation, and the passing of this bill will enable us to continue to draw tourists in the future as well,” Jessica McMahan, a Piedmont business owner said in submitted committee testimony.

Dennis Hovis, a former General Manager and News Director at KPWB radio in Piedmont, testified that sightings have continued into the present day, or at least within the last 2-4 years.

“Lights over the lake continue to be seen by nighttime visitors, especially fishermen,” Hovis told the panel, although he noted that the sightings weren’t reported over fears of being mocked or laughed at. “So our question is are they back or did they never leave?,” Hovis wondered aloud. 

Dinkins was asked if she’d seen any UFOs.

“I’ve seen things that I cannot identify. I’ve seen things that I cannot identify in the sky. Did I think they were a flying saucer… no I haven’t seen anything I thought was a flying saucer.”

The bill faces a committee vote Tuesday in Jefferson City. The chairman, State Rep. Brian Seitz, sounds convinced on the bill.

“There’s nothing there at Area 51 but people love to go there and say they’ve been there so really this encourages me to go to Wayne County and go to Piedmont because whether or not I think I’m going to see it I would hope to see it,” he said.  “I’d go fishing there and always be looking up in the sky so I think this is an excellent bill and a way to draw some interest in that area,” he said.