Then you should know, there’s a lot of cash that runs around those thing. I’ve been to the Roswell celebration, the ENTIRE town becomes a convention. Every business figures out a way to tie into the thing. Not to mention the “official” part of the convention with all the vendors in the convention center. It’s a blast. And that week is probably when 90% of the money that comes into town arrives.
People seize what is available to them. I have been to a really crappy town in New Hampshire that is world famous for its Lobster Rolls. Those were well worth the visit to an otherwise bland place.
That little town's grasping at straws does not diminish what happened there. It is true, that town is nothing without its legend. Such is the case of any town that borders a military base.