Every cult film worth its weight deserves a convention for fans to get together and celebrate their love for all things related. The Coen Brothers' classic noir spoof The Big Lebowski got its due with Lebowski Fest, which started in Louisville, Ken. in 2002 and has since gone national, sparking events in major cities across the United States.

Last year, Capitol Bowl in West Sacramento decided to get in on the action and held its first party in honor of The Dude and Walter's misadventures, and the party returned Sunday, Aug. 30.

"Two of my friends, Lori and Michael Blanchard, wanted to hold an event to raise money for a few charities they were part of," said Brandy Benten, bartender, talent booker and organizer of the first Big Lebowski Party at Capitol Bowl. "I decided it would be fun to tie that in with the movie because I'm a huge fan."

According to Benten, last year's event drew 150 people, many of whom dressed as their favorite characters from the film. The turnout this year was significantly less.

"I think the economy has something to do with it," said Capitol Bowl Manager Chris White. Despite the advertisements on the radio, in newspapers and on the Internet, only about 25 people gathered for the costume contest, bowling and trivia.

The movie itself was played on a screen inside the bar this time, as opposed to being shown on all of the televisions in the alley as it was last year."

"Everything sort of happened at once during the first one," White said. "Everybody wanted a little more structure this time, so we decided to separate the contests to make sure we could get more people involved."

The $20 admission fee got attendees two hours of bowling and entries in costume and trivia contests for a chance to win prizes such as bowling shirts, drink mixers and apparel from Capitol Bowl.

"I think the event is great because it kind of says that bowling is cool again," White said. "It kind of has this reputation of being something that only old men do, but I play in a league and I'm pretty sure everyone there is younger than me."

While this year's event didn't bring as many people as the first one, most who came were in costume. Several Dudes battled it out for best lookalike, as did two impressive Walters and many minor characters, including a dead ringer for enigmatic porn director Jackie Treehorn. In the end, the opponents made peace and laughed over a few White Russians just as the real Dude would have wanted.

"We wanted to make the event part of the actual Lebowski Fest this year, but it was too late," White said. "But next year we will make sure to be a part of the big deal. It will be much better."

The Dude would most certainly abide to that.