QUICK SUMMARY
The Men in Black Birthday Bash Fest 2025 begins June 13 in Des Moines, featuring an alien abductee lookalike contest and various themed events. The highlight occurs on June 21 with a black-and-white-themed evening of music and entertainment. The festival celebrates the Maury Island Incident, the first reported encounter with a Man in Black.
The Men in Black Birthday Bash Fest 2025 launches on June 13 in Des Moines, WA, with an alien abductee lookalike contest inspired by the SNL character Colleen Rafferty. The festival will feature a scavenger hunt from June 13-22 and culminate on June 21 with a black-and-white-themed evening filled with music and entertainment at the Quarterdeck. This year’s events honor the Maury Island Incident, a pivotal moment in UFO history when a Tacoma man reported seeing flying objects in 1947. The festival also includes a drag queen trivia contest and concludes with Sparky’s Revenge Dog Flying Disc Contest on June 22, a tribute to a pet involved in the incident. Tickets for the festival are available on EventBrite, and details can be accessed via the MIBBB Fest website and social media. Founded in 2022, the festival reflects Des Moines residents' enthusiasm for sharing their town's intriguing history. Steve Edmiston, a local attorney and filmmaker, has played a significant role in promoting the festival and the Maury Island narrative. The event's unique blend of entertainment and history fosters community engagement and celebrates local lore.