LONG BEACH, Wash. — The ninth annual Jake the Alligator Man’s 75th Birthday Party and Car Show is set for this weekend. This entertaining event honors Jake, the half-man-half-alligator in a vintage sideshow exhibit displayed at Marsh’s Free Museum and who has a cult following in the Pacific Northwest.

The annual event takes place over two days and is a place where several subcultures mingle, bringing together folks from all walks of life. Fans dressed to impress also make for some supreme people watching.

First, Jake’s Bachelor Party gets things started Friday, Aug. 7 at the Long Beach Elks. This year’s 21-and-over party is Sea Hags and Sea Monsters themed, hosted by the original Sea Hag herself, MedusSirena. Celebrate Jake’s bachelorhood with a bevy of talented professional burlesque performers and live music by the Twangshifters. A full no-host bar and dinner are available. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $15 at the door.

Then, Saturday, Aug. 8 sees Jake’s annual 75th Birthday at Veterans Field in downtown Long Beach, open to all ages. There will be a classic car show, a bouncy house, kids’ activities, a cake parade led by the Driven Dead’s Aidan in the Creature, the ever-popular Bride of Jake Contest and live music all day long. Events are as follows: At 11 a.m. the Verbtones; 12:15 p.m. the Shaken Growlers; 1:30 p.m. PIMA Demo Team/Cake Parade; 2 p.m. Hot Roddin’ Romeos; 3:15 p.m. Bride of Jake Contest; 4 p.m. Honky Tonk Union; 5:15 p.m. Jenny Don’t & the Spurs; 6 p.m. announce Bride of Jake and Car Show award recipients.

This year at 7 p.m. organizers have added a Bonfire and Beer Garden, featuring a special performance by MeduSirena the Fire Eating Mermaid performing with Elvis and Paradise Island. Bring a blanket or chair and join in the shenanigans.

Inspired by vintage Hollywood, vaudeville, side shows, aquatic theater and water ballets, MeduSirena is a performer with many talents. With a homebase at Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Wreck Bar performing underwater swimshows, MeduSirena mixes retro-glamor with the thrill of sideshow arts. From fire eating and dance, bed of nails and even ladder of swords to Polynesian dance, aquatic performances and burlesque, MeduSirena is a must-see.

More information is available at www.jakethealligatorman.com