Men in Black Birthday Bash (MIBBB) returning to Des Moines with weekend of events starting June 22

The Men in Black Birthday Bash (MIBBB) festival returns to Des Moines from June 22 to June 24, 2023, celebrating the 76th anniversary of the first “Man in Black” sighting in Tacoma, Washington. The festival kicks off with a cosplay party on June 22, encouraging attendees to dress in black-and-white attire and enjoy live music. A new film festival devoted to short films about the unexplained will debut on June 23 at Harper Studios, featuring a pre-function at Marina Mercantile and an after-party. The festival's final event on June 24, the “Ol’ Blue Eyes Bayside Ball,” will feature Joey Jewell and the Swingin’ Sixties Orchestra, with proceeds benefiting the Des Moines Legacy Foundation's youth and community programs. In addition, the MIBBB Summer Saucer Search will run from June 14 to June 18, offering five days and ten clues scattered throughout Seattle Southside cities, inviting teams to uncover a hidden object inspired by the iconic encounter.

Tickets for all events are currently available on EventBrite. The festival aims to celebrate local history while fostering community engagement through various activities. This year’s expanded lineup highlights the growing interest in UFO culture and local traditions.