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The eighth annual Lebowski Fest kicks off today in Louisville, Ky. The festivities bring together fans of the Coen Brothers' 1998 comedy "The Big Lebowski" to celebrate every facet of the film, from bowling to nihilism to caucasians (white Russians). So popular has the event gotten, that it's even spawned numerous Lebowski Fests across the U.S. Thirteen will take place over the next few months, and are being dubbed "The Speed of Sound Tour" -- in reference to Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski's time as a roadie for Metallica.

If you haven't gotten all the details about Lebowski Fest -- the in-and-outs and the what-have-yous -- we put together a gallery to give you a little crash course.

LebowskiFest

    To understand LebowskiFest, you need to first start with film producer Jeff Dowd, the man who inspired the Coen Brothers to create the character of The Dude or Duder or El Duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

    Matt Sayles, AP

    After creating The Dude (aka Jeffrey Lebowski) and casting Jeff Bridges, the Coen's made the "The Big Lebowski" as their follow-up to "Fargo." At first, the surreal neo-noir comedy left critics and viewers perplexed, much like the central character.

    AP

    But over the years, the film slowly built a cult following.

    Universal

    By 2002, fans of the movie, known as "Achievers," got together and had the first Lebowski themed festival in a bowling alley in Louisville, Kentucky. Soon it would branch out to other cities, like Chicago.

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    And St. Louis.

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    Folks attend these festivals dressed like the characters. Here are a few dressed like John Goodman's character, Walter.

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    Here's a fan of The Dude, drinking The Dude's favorite beverage, the White Russian.

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    Another Walter and The Dude.

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    And another Walter.

    Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images

    Supporting cast members like Steve Buscemi, who plays the ill-fated Donnie, round out the movie's huge ensemble, which allows for various costume options at LebowskiFest.

    Everett Collection