The year was 1955, and in the small town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, an extraordinary event unfolded that would capture the imagination of UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike for decades to come. Known widely as the “Kelly Green Men Incident,” this encounter involved a family, a handful of witnesses, and a seemingly alien invasion.
On the evening of August 21, 1955, the Sutton family—comprised of five adults and several children—were at their farmhouse. Located in a rural area about five miles outside of Hopkinsville, the night started off like any other. The tranquil surroundings of farmland quickly shifted to suspense as the family claimed to have witnessed strange lights in the sky.
As the night wore on, the Suttons reported seeing strange figures approaching their home. Descriptions varied, but many stated that these beings were small, roughly three to four feet tall, with long arms, large heads, and green skin. Witnesses described their eyes as glowing like “two saucers of light.”
The family, frightened by the presence of these creatures, ran into their home and armed themselves with guns. Throughout the night, they claimed the aliens attempted to gain entry, with some witnesses asserting that they fired shots at the intruders.
The following day, the Suttons went to the local police station to report the incident, which quickly drew media attention. The story of the Kelly Green Men spread like wildfire, leading to an influx of curious onlookers, UFO enthusiasts, and reporters descending upon the small town. The incident was investigated by law enforcement, who found no evidence of an extraterrestrial encounter but noted the genuine fear expressed by the family.
The Kelly Green Men incident soon became an iconic event in UFO lore, prompting debates about the authenticity of alien encounters and the psychology behind such experiences. Skeptics argued that the Suttons might have been under the influence of alcohol or simply mistaken common wildlife, like the Great Horned Owl, for extraterrestrials. Others suggested that the family was seeking attention.
With the rise of UFO culture in the late 20th century, the Kelly Green Men incident holds an important place in the annals of alien lore. The story has been referenced in various films, television shows, and books – representing a quintessential example of close encounters with beings from another world.
Today, Hopkinsville embraces its unusual past. The town used to host the annual “Kelly Green Men Festival,” but from the information I can find – it looks like the last time that event happened was in 2021. There is an exhibit about the incident in the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville which includes some of the original drawings of the Green Men and newspaper articles.
Whether you believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life or think the Hopkinsville incident as a case of mass hysteria, the story of the Kelly Green Men continues to inspire curiosity in the region. The event reminds us that the night sky holds countless secrets and that sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction. The aliens may have left Hopkinsville long ago, but their mystique remains a captivating aspect of the town’s heritage, inviting us all to ponder the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Hopkinsville and the Kelly Green Men are a featured stop in the Kentucky After Dark Passport.
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