Will Russell and Scott Shuffitt, The Big Lebowski fanaticists who run the festival, tell me that they are excited because someone from Montana has bought a ticket to the Lebowski Fest in Louisville (July 11 and 12).
Even though people will be coming from all over this country and Canada for the event, and even though Will and Scott have exported their Lebowski Fest to places as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland, Montana is a first this year and so it’s special.
Here are some other special things about the Lebowski Fest:
The First Annual Lebowski Fest was called that because the guys didn’t realize that a first event should be called the Inaugural, and, then when there is another one a year later, it can be called the First Annual.
The idea for the festival came to them at a tattoo convention, not during their 101st-viewing of the film, "The Big Lebowski," even though they swear that the film holds up to over 100 viewings.
Jim James from My Morning Jacket dressed up as The Dude (the film’s main character) at the Third Annual festival (this year is the 7th) and that was the first year the festival included live bands.
The guys’ book, "I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski" came out last year with the endorsement / disclaimer from the Coen Brothers (who directed the film), which said, “They have neither our blessing nor our curse.”
Other firsts this year will include the showing of a documentary at the festival about the guys called The Achievers, and San Francisco will host the Lebowski Fest later this year for the first time.
Once, the guys held the annual summer Lebowski Fest in Louisville in the fall and it confused everyone and it rained and they will never do it again. They are still sorry.
