Last year’s sold-out Colleen Rafferty Alien Abductee Lookalike Contest will merge (crash land?) into a Special Limited Edition of the Men in Black Birthday Bash (the “Bash”) on Saturday, June 20 at the Quarterdeck in Des Moines.
The Rafferty Lookalike Contest pays loose homage to Kate McKinnon’s iconic “Colleen Rafferty” character from Saturday Night Live, a hilariously unfiltered alien abductee whose chaotic interviews with government agents is a fan favorite.
Bash attendees who choose to attend dressed as a Rafferty are invited to channel their inner Colleen (or Carl) in what organizers describe as “the world’s simplest—and funniest—cosplay.” Two special guest “government agents,” played by podcaster Shea Drury of Rainy Day Rabbit Holes and Scott Schaefer of South King Media, will conduct the competition (aka questioning of “abductees”).
“We knew the Rafferty contest was funny. We didn’t realize it would become that funny,” said Doreen Harper, festival organizer. “It’s one of those moments where everyone is in on the joke, and somehow it just keeps getting better.”
Recently included in Fodor Travel’s Top 10 Unique Travel Experiences Across the United States, the Men in Black Birthday Bash – “the party that started it all” – serves as the festival’s flagship event. The Bash blends UFO history, themed cosplay, and comedy into a celebration inspired by the 1947 Maury Island Incident, the origin story behind modern Men in Black mythology.
Held on the shores of Puget Sound in the shadow of Maury Island, the Bash invites guests to arrive in full cosplay, as Men in Black agents, alien visitors, or Rafferty-style abductees. The night blends historical inspiration with playful, community-driven energy.
The evening typically features a mix of comedy, music, and storytelling, along with signature MIBBB traditions and surprises. This year’s special limited edition will conclude with a dance party led by DJ Lumen Fluxa.
The 21+ event officially kicks off with the festival’s “Great Synchronization” countdown at 6:22 p.m., marking the anniversary weekend of the first reported Men in Black encounter in 1947 (doors open at 5:30 p.m.).
Attendees can purchase either general admission tickets or opt into the Rafferty Lookalike Contest by selecting the “Bash + CR Lookalike Contest Compete” ticket. Participation spots are limited.
Learn more (and watch a short film) about this iconic, local historical UFO incident here.
Photos
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Event Details:
WHAT: Men in Black Birthday Bash feat. Colleen Rafferty Alien Abductee Lookalike Contest
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 5:30–9 p.m. (Program begins at 6:22 p.m.)
WHERE: Quarterdeck, Des Moines, WA (map below)
AGE REQUIREMENT: 21+
Tickets:
Links:
About MIBBB Fest
MIBBB Fest is an annual festival in Des Moines, Washington, inspired by the 1947 Maury Island Incident and the cultural legacy of Men in Black lore. Blending history, humor, and community, the festival attracts visitors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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