The alien invasion was underway, and David Day wanted no part of it.

Day pointed to the signs nailed to his front gate in Rachel, Nevada, population 40ish (50 on weekends).

"GO HOME. NO ALIENSTOCK."

People in this sparsely populated expanse of scrub desert and sun-blasted mountains have gotten used to conspiracy theorists and UFO chasers who make the two-hour drive from Las Vegas hunting for an extraterrestrial truth behind the secrecy and security of Area 51 — and leave with nothing but an alien tote bag or a roll of little-green-man toilet paper from the souvenir shop.

Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Show all 40 1 /40 Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters headed to Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Martin Custodio wears a Pepe mask while standing near razor wire at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A boy wears a tinfoil hat at the gates of Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' A man dressed as an alien dances at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A person carries a sign outside a gate to Area 51 as an influx of tourists responding to a call to 'storm' Area 51, a secretive U.S. military base believed by UFO enthusiasts to hold government secrets about extra-terrestrials, is expected in Rachel, Nevada, U.S. September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart JIM URQUHART Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Rachel, Nevada Revelers pose at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People dance during a DJ set at 'Alienstock' EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Women dressed as aliens Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People holds signs at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, near Rachel, Nev. People gathered at the gate inspired by the "Storm Area 51" internet hoax. (AP Photo/John Locher) John Locher AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A group of people take the "Naruto run" position before they faux ran at an entrance Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Audrie Clark smokes a vape outside of the Storm Area 51 Basecamp event AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Attendee Ellie Urquhart walks past a security line AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses at an entrance gate Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A mans holds an inflatable alien AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' RACHEL, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 20: Revelers gather at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' on September 20, 2019 in Rachel, Nevada. The event is a spinoff from the original 'Storm Area 51' Facebook event which jokingly encouraged participants to charge the famously secretive Area 51 military base in order to 'see them aliens'. Two tiny desert towns not far from from the once-secret Area 51 are hosting related events this weekend. The military has warned attendees not to approach the protected Area 51 military installation. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses for photos as attendees gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. - Alien-hunters are arriving near Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Hundreds gathered in Nevada desert to 'see them aliens' Getty Images Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A military personnel member patrols with a dog Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Alien-hunters discuss with law enforcement officers as they gather to "storm" Area 51 at an entrance to the military facility near Rachel, Nevada on September 20, 2019. - Alien-hunters are arriving near Area 51 after a viral craze that saw them commit to storm the mysterious US military base as a variety of events are taking place to mark the weekend, including music festivals in a variety of locations. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP)BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP/Getty Images BRIDGET BENNETT AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A person carries signs outside a gate to Area 51 as an influx of tourists responding to a call to 'storm' Area 51, a secretive U.S. military base believed by UFO enthusiasts to hold government secrets about extra-terrestrials, is expected in Rachel, Nevada, U.S. September 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart JIM URQUHART Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses in an alien costume near an access point to Area 51 EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Attendees listen to music during Alienstock festival on the "Extraterrestrial Highway AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A security guard stands at an entrance AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People dance during a DJ set EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People dressed in costumes chant as they approach a gate to Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' RACHEL, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 20: Revelers dance at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event 'Alienstock' on September 20, 2019 in Rachel, Nevada. The event is a spinoff from the original 'Storm Area 51' Facebook event which jokingly encouraged participants to charge the famously secretive Area 51 military base in order to 'see them aliens'. Two tiny desert towns not far from from the once-secret Area 51 are hosting related events this weekend. The military has warned attendees not to approach the protected Area 51 military installation. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Mario Tama Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' epa07857665 Members of the public talk in front of the entrance of the Alien Research Center during a 'Storm Area 51' party organized in Hiko, Nevada, USA, 20 September 2019. Starting as a joke the 'Storm Area 51' transformed into a gathering for alien believer with music and attractions held in several places around the Area 51. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A woman is detained by law enforcement after crossing into Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' A bus arrives for a 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 A man poses for photos as attendees gather to "storm" Area 51 AFP/Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 An attendee wears a tinfoil hat Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Danny Philippou, of Australia, pretends to "Naruto run" AP Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 epa07857873 People interact next to a military check point to Area 51 guarded by police officers and sheriff deputies as others go there to take pictures and possibly try to enter the site, near Rachel, Nevada, USA, 20 September 2019. Starting as a joke, the 'Storm Area 51' event transformed into a gathering for alien believers, with music and attractions held in several places around Area 51. EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 Law enforcement monitor a gate to Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' People play with a football during a DJ set at 'Alienstock' EPA Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People do the "Naruto run" at the gates of Area 51 Reuters Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' Area 51 People celebrate on the road back after visiting a military security gate near Area 51 Getty Storm Area 51: Hundreds at US military base to 'see them aliens' 'Alienstock' Men dressed as aliens dance at the 'Storm Area 51' spinoff event Getty

But in late June, law enforcement and residents here began bracing for an onslaught, after 2.1 million people said they would rush the base on foot at an event organised on Facebook called “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.”

The event creator later said the whole thing had been a joke, but online masses committed to launch anyway.

Residents worried that even a tiny fraction of that many out-of-towners could lead to chaos, choking the two-lane roads, scarring the desert with trash and camper trailers, and even draining the water table.

“People in Rachel moved out here to be away from all the crap,” Mr Day, 61, said Friday morning. “We don’t know what to expect.”

But by Saturday, it appeared the invaders had come in peace. Law enforcement officials said they had made just a handful of arrests, including one man charged with indecent exposure after relieving himself at Area 51’s security gate.

Most people were heeding warnings from county sheriffs, state police and the Air Force not to assault the gates of a heavily guarded military base.

At 3am Friday, about 150 people made the 9-mile drive up a dusty road and surged towards the back gate, but mostly just laughed and pantomimed an invasion.

Police officers stationed just outside the back gates laid down the ground rules — do not cross that line, watch out for rattlesnakes — and politely deflected selfie requests from hundreds of people who drove up throughout the day.

When a green alien asked if he could get a photo of one of the officers pretending to handcuff him, the officer offered these terms: “Once the handcuffs go on, they don’t come off.” The alien demurred.

Hundreds gathered in the Nevada desert to 'see them aliens' (Getty Images) (Getty)

“They’re hiding something,” said Noah Nelson, 16, who drove from Alberta, Canada, and took part in the storming-not-storming. “Maybe it’s aliens.”

“Or the moon landing set,” his brother, Austin, 21, said.

Like a lot of people here, they were joking. Sort of. A few visitors in alien goggles said they accepted the reality that Area 51, part of the Nevada Test and Training Range, had been used to develop spy planes, not hide alien spacecraft.

But like the X Files poster said, they wanted to believe. “We just wanted to see people like us,” said Mike Main, who drove with his mother from Tampa, Florida.

While some local residents spent the weekend pounding No Trespassing signs into the ground and stringing plastic webbing around their trailer homes, Don Williams said he had been won over by the visitors, who had arrived from as far as Massachusetts and even Australia.

“I love it,” Mr Williams, 54, said as he and his brothers built a green concession stand — Outpost 51, obviously — on their property.

For days, interlopers have been streaming into town in camper vans and RVs, motorcycles and in some cases cramped two-door sedans that barely made the drive from Fort Worth, Texas.

Since there are nearly no hotels for 50 miles, they set up tents in the dirt, bargained with residents for a bedroom in a trailer and rented $80-a-night (£64) camper spaces. Some just pulled onto a patch of empty land and slept under the stars.

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Retirees who roam the country said they had detoured to Rachel and the nearby Hiko, Nevada, home to the Alien Research Centre, where another weekend event featured music and speakers steeped in the search for intelligent life and the history and lore of the military base.

Some organisers were discovering that online fandom didn’t necessarily mean people would burn a weekend driving into the Nevada desert.

The music at the Hiko site was called off for Saturday after so few people showed up, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, though organisers said in a Facebook message that there would still be food stalls and alien discussions.

Twenty-somethings who had driven from Los Angeles said they were sick of hypercommercial concerts and festivals, and liked being able to pull into a dirt lot where music was blasting from stage and people were lining up for pancakes outside one of the few businesses in town, the Little Al’E’Inn.

“We don’t have a Woodstock,” said Seth Carlson, 32. “I can’t tell my kids I didn’t make it to Area 51. This is history.”