What started as a glowing red light over a small Manitoba town turned into one of North America’s most talked-about UFO events. Fifty years later, Carman is commemorating Charlie Redstar with photos, memories and a new generation of fan art.
To celebrate the milestone, the Golden Prairie Arts Council (GPAC) is hosting a community reception and year-long tribute to the legendary red orb that drew hundreds of sightings in the mid-1970s.
On April 10, GPAC will open its doors from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a reception featuring memorabilia, photographs and stories about Charlie Redstar. Author Grant Cameron, who wrote a book on the phenomenon, will be in attendance, along with Edward Morris Barker’s children’s book about the event — both available for purchase.
“It seemed every Friday, this object would appear, and people would line the streets just to get a glimpse,” said Melissa Froebe of GPAC. “People would come to Carman and wait for the phenomenon. He would follow cars; cars would follow him.”
Froebe and her wife are owners of some of the most well-known photos of Charlie Redstar, taken by her wife’s grandmother. Those photos will be among the items on display throughout the celebration.
GPAC’s newly opened Zed Gallery will also host a Charlie Redstar-themed art exhibit beginning in May. The exhibition will feature those historic photographs and memorabilia, along with original artwork created by local children aged five to 13.
Youth submissions were grouped by age, and first-, second- and third-place winners were chosen in each category. The nine winning pieces will debut at the April 10 reception before going on a travelling exhibition around town — starting with a stint at Carman 5 Pin Bowling.
The Carman and Community Chamber of Commerce has also invited local businesses to decorate their storefronts to mark the occasion. Froebe said she hopes to see those tributes pop up around town in the coming weeks.
Later this summer, GPAC will host a Charlie Redstar-themed disc golf event, adding a playful twist to the town-wide celebration.
“It’s Carman’s own and I think Carman needs to be proud of this,” said Froebe. “We have a very quirky connection to the unknown.”
