AUSTIN, Texas – A man who has embodied the "Keep Austin Weird" spirit for decades celebrated his 75th birthday Sunday.

• Has been performing since '70s
• Celebrated 75^th birthday
• Raising money for end-of-life care

Crazy Carl Hickerson's friends and family got together to commemorate his remarkable life while raising money for his end-of-life care.

“He’s as much a part of 6th street and the Austin weirdness as anybody could ever be,” said Jennifer Rouda, who organized the celebration.

He’s been a fixture on 6th street since the '70s, doing performance art and spinning carnations. 

“I started balancing carnations the first day, and then in time two months I couldn’t go any place in Austin without somebody saying, ‘You’re the guy who spins carnations,’” said Crazy Carl.

It’s a trick he showed off at his 75th birthday party Sunday, surrounded by friends and family. 

But the party was also a fundraiser for his end of life care. 

He has a rapidly progressing medical condition that doesn’t leave him much longer to live. 

“He felt like this must be his probably his last time, to be able to gather all his friends and family together at a place that he has loved here at Esther's Follies,” said Rouda, “He has been such a part of the landscape of this 6th Street scene for so long that it was important for him to celebrate with everyone.”

Despite the somber undertones, the occasion was mostly a celebration of Crazy Carl’s remarkable life as an Austin icon and unofficial ambassador of the “Keep Austin Weird” spirit. 

“We are all just so lucky to get to spend even these little moments with him, where he's creating this incredibly inclusive and bizarre world that everybody gets to be a part of and everybody gets to enjoy,” said Rouda.

His eccentric persona has had a lasting impact on Austin. 

“Well I think you have to be different in order to have any effect. It’s just the way I am,” said Crazy Carl.

“I think that little bit of magic that he brings, which is, which truly is that inclusive spirit that idea that everybody is welcome as they are,” said Rouda.