On October 4, 1967, in a small fishing community on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, several witnesses reported an unexplained sighting. Descriptions included four glowing lights in the sky, a rapidly moving object slanted at a 45-degree angle, a bright flash as something hit the water, and strange thick yellow seafoam. RCMP officers who arrived at the scene observed a large, pale-yellow, glowing object floating in the water.
Following the strange event, Canada’s Department of Defence, the United States Air Force, and other agencies attempted to investigate the phenomenon and search for potential survivors, but they found no answers. However, this made the Shag Harbour UFO Incident one of the best documented events of its kind in Canadian history.
Last fall, fueled on Ramblers breakfast sandwiches, some friends and I drove to Shag Harbour. The Interpretive Centre operates only by appointment in the off-season. I had spoken that morning with Laurie Wickens, chairman of the Shag Harbour UFO Incident Society and one of the original witnesses. He could not guarantee the museum’s opening that day, so he asked that we call him upon arrival. Three hours later, Laurie pulled up behind us just as we arrived at the museum.
As a fan of small community museums, I was eager to visit the centre for its kitsch and charm. Upon entering, I found witness accounts from the day, driftwood from the crash site, and a delightful photo cutout board. The homemade exhibits not only recounted the 1967 incident and general beliefs about UFOs but also reflected the community that has developed around the event itself.
Many displays featured work from local students inspired to create dioramas and presentations based on the museum's history. A book compiled stories and drawings from a kindergarten and grade two class that visited on a field trip.
Community artistry, from knitting to poetry, was prominently displayed next to accounts and artifacts. Among my favorites were a series of rocks painted by Ruth Hatfield, imagining what the aliens did after their arrival.
Belief in extraterrestrial life and UFOs (or unidentified aerial/anomalous phenomena, UAP) is driven by various factors, including the search for meaning during uncertain times. The Shag Harbour incident coincided with a period of heightened UFO sightings during the Cold War.
Today, global challenges echo those past uncertainties and anxieties, which has brought UAPs back into public discussion. In 2024, the “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth” joint hearing in the US ignited memes and speculation. Recent previews, like one from Sky Canada about an upcoming report on UAP communications management, call for greater public engagement.
While I’m skeptical of little green men, the Shag Harbor UFO Incident Interpretive Centre highlights how curiosity about the unknown can inspire creativity and strengthen community bonds. This, perhaps, is the most compelling reason to engage with the mysteries of our world, and I want to believe in it.
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