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Premier Event: JDIFF ‘Boos & Brews’ Weekend

Flick. Fling. Froth. Repeat.

That’s what you can expect at the inaugural JDIFF Boos & Brews weekend – a partnership between the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, the Tri-State Bags Tournament, and The Tappening brew fest.

Set for Friday-Saturday, October 21st and 22nd, the event will feature Halloween films, a corn hole tournament, a brew fest, and a costume contest, all punctuated with the resurrection of the Dubuque Halloween parade – now dubbed the JDIFF Halloween BOO Parade.

Susan Gorrell, executive director of JDIFF. Contributed photo.

“Halloween is such a fun season – you can dress up and play any part you want, so it really lends itself to a celebration of film,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. “Taking on the Halloween parade seemed like a natural fit for us and we are so thrilled to partner with other area events to create a weekend full of fun for all ages.”

Outdoor Movies
Friday, October 21, 8 PM @ Washington Square Park

Boos & Brews Live Music
Friday, October 21, 10 PM @ Riverboat Lounge

Boos & Brews Short Film Viewings
Saturday, October 22, 11:30 AM-5:30 PM @ Five Flags Center

Boos and Brews Weekend: The Tappening
Saturday, October 22, 12 PM @ Five Flags Arena

Boos & Brews Costume Contest and Halloween Parade
Saturday, October 22, 4 PM & 7 PM @ Washington Square Park

The festivities begin Friday night with a free Halloween screening of the children’s film Coraline in Washington Park. Rated PG, the animated 2009 film follows an adventurous 11-year-old girl who finds another world with sinister secrets. Plan to bring your own blankets, chairs, pillows, coolers, and/or food for a fun family night. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor film will be canceled.

Following the film, the band Boogie Monster will be spooking up some jams at the Riverboat Lounge at Hotel Julien Dubuque. There’s no cover charge and costumes are optional.

On Saturday at 8 AM, the Tri-State Bags Tournament will start bright and early at Five Flags Center. The cost to participate is $40 per team; to register, visit Tri-State-Bags-Tournament.eventbrite.com.

At noon, The Tappening, a celebration of premier craft beers and their masters from around the Midwest, begins with a VIP-only hour. The General Admission event starts at 1 PM, with both ending at 4 PM.

There will be multiple craft breweries in attendance, including local favorites such as 7 Hills Brewing Co., Backpocket Brewing, Jubeck New World Brewing, and Dimensional Brewing Co., as well as others from around the tri-state area including Big Grove Brewery, Potosi Brewery, River Ridge Brewing, Millstream Brewing, Peace Tree Brewing, and more.

Tyler Daugherty, Vice President of Community Engagement at Travel Dubuque. Contributed photo.

“This will be an awesome way to sample multiple craft products from across the state and region,” said Tyler Daugherty, Vice President of Community Engagement at Travel Dubuque. “Not to mention live music, college football, and bags – the perfect combination for a Saturday of fun.”

General admission tickets cost $40, while VIP tickets are $50. Designated drivers pay $10 to get in. For more information or to buy tickets, visit TappeningDBQ.com. While there will be bags sets available for playing at The Tappening, admission into the Tri-State Bags Tournament is separate.

Also on Saturday, JDIFF will host vendors, inflatables, face painting and more at Washington Park, starting at 11 AM. They also will be showing free horror/sci-fi/thriller short films at Five Flags in the Orpheum and Majestic Rooms.

At 4 PM on Saturday, there will be a free costume contest parade at Washington Park. The best costumes can win cash prizes, including $25 for ages 0-12, $75 for ages 13-17, and $100 for ages 18 and older.

The events culminate with the first-ever JDIFF Halloween BOO Parade, set for 7 PM on Saturday night. The route runs from 16th & Jackson St. to 8th & Locust St. Floats and music will be film-themed (any film, not only Halloween or scary movies).

To register a float, organization, band, or more, visit JulienFilmFest.com/boos-brews. Registration and payment is due by October 10th. There will be cash prizes for best-themed float and best-themed movie music for bands.

“We really wanted this weekend expand past a parade and include multiple community events,” Gorrell said. “There will be something for everyone!”

JDIFF BOOS & BREWS WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, October 21

8 PM: Free outdoor screening of Coraline in Washington Park
Bring your own blankets, chairs, pillows – whatever keeps you warm. Bring your own cooler and/or food. In the event of inclement weather, the outdoor film will be cancelled. The animated film is 1 hour, 40 minutes long and rated PG.

10 PM: After Party
Music by Boogie Monster in the Riverboat Lounge at Hotel Julien Dubuque. Costumes optional. No cover charge.

Saturday, October 22

11 AM: Family Event in Washington Park
Vendors, inflatables, face painting and more in Washington Park. In the event of inclement weather, everything will be moved inside Five Flags.

Free Horror/Sci Fi / Thriller Short films at Five Flags Orpheum:
• 11:30 AM-1 PM: Short Block 1
• 2 PM-3:30 PM: Short Block 2

Free Horror/Sci Fi / Thriller Short films at Five Flags Majestic:
• 12:30 PM-2 PM: Short Block 3
• 4 PM-5:30 PM: Short Block 4

8 AM: Tri-State Bags Tournament at Five Flags Center
• $40 per team
Register here: Tri-State-Bags-Tournament.eventbrite.com. Must register by October 15.

The Tappening at Five Flags Center (Ages 21+ only)
• 12 PM-4 PM: The Tappening VIP
• 1 PM-4 PM: The Tappening General Admission
The Tappening Tickets: $40 General Admission: $50 VIP, $10 Designated Driver
To purchase tickets, visit TappeningDBQ.com.

4 PM: Free Costume Contest Parade in Washington Park 
Cash prizes given to best costume in the following categories:
-Ages 0-12: $25
-Ages 13-17: $75
-Ages 18 & up: $100

7 PM: JDIFF Halloween BOO Parade
Route runs from 16th & Jackson to 8th & Locust (just past Washington Park). To register a float, organization, band, or more, visit JulienFilmFest.com/boos-brews. Registration and payment is due by October 10.
Float prizes:
• 1st Place: $300
• 2nd Place: $150
• 3rd Place: $75
Best film music themed band wins $100. Visit JulienFilmFest.com/boos-brews.

Editor’s note: Article was submitted by Amanda Munger for Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

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