Explore Seattle Southside is inviting Earthlings and extraterrestrials alike to embark on an out-of-this-world quest with “The Southcenter Files,” a free, phone-based scavenger hunt happening June 13–20 at Westfield Southcenter Mall.

The fun new interactive event is part of the 2025 Men in Black Birthday Bash (MIBBB Fest), a celebration of the region’s UFO history, including the infamous 1947 “Maury Island Incident.”

Visitors can channel their inner secret agent as they scan hidden clues, solve cosmic puzzles, and explore the mall in an entirely new way.

“This free out-of-this-world experience is part escape room, part space race, and 100% fun,” organizers said.

Explore Seattle Southside already sent out an “Alienvitation” to welcome back extraterrestrial visitors to Seattle Southside…and now they’re inviting anyone who’d like to become an agent to drop by the mall and use their mobile device to scan hidden clues, solve cosmic puzzles, and explore Westfield Southcenter in a whole new way. 

Stop by Westfield Southcenter mall in the week leading up to the 2025 Men in Black Birthday Bash (June 13-20), and use your smartphone to uncover interactive puzzles scattered throughout the mall. Solve the clues and beam up your entries to complete this self-guided mission for a chance to unlock stellar prizes like: 

  • Two standard Squishables (up to $65 value each) 
  • Two tickets to MIBBB Fest  $100 gift card to Marugame Udon
  • Westfield Southcenter Mall gift certificates
  • Exclusive offers
  • A Labubu surprise box (6 dolls) 
  • Tickets to Saucers & Sass: Movie, Trivia & Drag Night

“We wanted to create something that sparks curiosity, complements our Maury Island Incident mall installation, and invites people to explore our region—and Westfield Southcenter—in an unexpected way. The UFO Scavenger Hunt blends family fun with local lore in a way only Seattle Southside can,” said Mark Everton, CEO of Explore Seattle Southside. 

This free out-of-this-world experience is part escape room, part space race, and 100% fun.  Just bring your curiosity and your phone.

Pick up your mission instructions at the mall by scanning posters that have a QR code. 

For more information about 2025 MIBBB Fest events:

About MIBBB Fest

Held each year in Des Moines, WA, MIBBB Fest commemorates history’s first alleged encounter with the so-called Men in Black, the infamous 1947 Maury Island Incident, and the top-secret government intervention that followed. This local festival was founded in 2022 by a small group of Des Moines residents, including Des Moines natives Steve and Melody Edmiston, who are passionate about sharing the fascinating stories of their hometown’s history.