UFO Welcome Center facts for kids
The UFO Welcome Center is a really unique and fun place to visit in Bowman, South Carolina, USA. It was built by a man named Jody Pendarvis right in his own backyard!
This amazing center is a giant flying saucer, about 42 feet (13 meters) wide. It's made from wood, fiberglass, and plastic. You can enter it using a ramp that moves up and down with motors. The whole saucer is even mounted on four columns that can raise and lower it! Inside, it's filled with lots of cool gadgets and recycled parts. It even has a bed, satellite TV, air conditioning, a toilet, and a shower. Jody Pendarvis imagined himself as a special greeter for aliens. He wanted to create a comfy spot where they could relax after a long trip in their UFOs.
Building the UFO Welcome Center
Jody started building this awesome saucer in 1994. It quickly became a popular spot for people to visit. At first, there was a small $1 fee to look around.
In 2001, the UFO Welcome Center was even featured on a TV show called The Daily Show. A comedian named Stephen Colbert gave a funny tour of the place, making it even more famous!
In 2003, Jody added a smaller saucer, about 20 feet (6 meters) wide, right on top of the first one. He even started living inside the main saucer during the summer months because it was cooler than his nearby home. Instead of a set entry fee now, there's a blue wooden box near the entrance that says "Tips." Visitors can put in whatever they want to help support this amazing creation.
