11th Lebowski Fest kicks off in Louisville

• Tweet

LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 22 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people flocked to a bowling alley in Louisville, Ky, for the 11th annual Lebowski Fest, an event dedicated to the 1998 film "The Big Lebowski."

Garden and bowling parties were among other festivities at this year's Lebowski Fest, which was an all-day event Saturday at Executive Strike and Spare, The Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

Many of those in attendance dressed as "the Dude," the film's main character played by Jeff Bridges, or one of his two best friends, Walter, played by John Goodman, or Donny, who is played by Steve Buscemi.

Some people, however, were more obscure with their costumes. Danny Hirtler, who traveled from Charlotte, N.C., to attend the event, dressed as "the nihilist in the pool," a bit character who has just a few minutes of screen time.

"I think here I feel less nerdy," Hirtler said. "Because I can quote the stupidest of all the lines, and no one will look at me like I'm weird."

The event was started by Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt in Louisville 11 years ago. The first Lebowski Fest hosted about 150 people, but this year was expected to draw nearly 1,000 people.

"I think the fact that so many people don't get the movie -- and we get it -- it's kind of a funny inside joke among us," he said.