10 Fictional Events Similar to the Gathering of the Juggalos By Randolph [71 more lists]

Ah, Juggalos. You remember the Insane Clown Posse, right? They're the most popular band you make it a specific point not to listen to, the ones who wear clown make-up because it makes them look MORE like John Wayne Gacy, and who did that whole song a few years back about their ignorance of the principles of magnetism. Yeah, those guys.

Well, it might surprise (and terrify!) you to learn that each year, fans of ICP (or, if you prefer, the InClowPos) collect in the small hamlet of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, for a festival known as the ""Gathering of the Juggalos."" (""Juggalo"" is the name ICP fans have given to themselves. Try to keep up.)

The long-standing event (which has now been going strong for over a decade) includes not only performances from ICP and their Psychopathic Records labelmates, but also wrestling matches, karaoke, games and contests. And drunks ordering you to show them your t**s. Mostly that last one. Also, the website says that they hold ""seminars."" Hopefully on how to clean and care for an infected piercing. I somehow sense that's going to come up a lot.

But this is all just a description. Mere words! To really get a feel for what it's like to ATTEND the Gathering of the Juggalos - a four-day celebration of drinking, taking drugs, being out in the woods, slamming a strange Midwestern soda called Faygo, putting on clown make-up, taking some more drugs, vomiting, getting tattooed, giving birth, then drinking and being out in the woods some more - you sort of have to be there. Or imagine a mash-up of the ""Pink Elephants on Parade"" sequence from ""Dumbo"" and Tim Curry's highlights from the TV-movie version of ""It."" That should pretty much do the trick.

No, rather than merely describe what goes down at the Gathering of the Juggalos - about which we're pretty sure the attendees are sworn to secrecy, or just serious about protecting their Fifth Amendment rights - I thought it might be best to compare it to something else. Perhaps scenes from some popular films and TV shows, that provide a visceral feel for the chaotic, psychedelic, mind-bending atmosphere you can find at the GOTJ. These are the fictitious events that most closely resemble the Gathering of the Juggalos, either in form, style, personality or appearance.

Think you've come up with a great one that isn't listed here? Who asked you anyway, loser!

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1

Gremlins

The Gremlins screen 'Snow White'

Seriously, this one is almost eerie. It's like Joe Dante predicted the Gathering decades before it would actually come to pass. It's all there - the comically over-the-top outfits, the troll-type creatures looking to cause havoc, the tearing apart of the very entertainment venue the Gremlins went out of their way to visit. (Even the Gremlins destruction of the "Snow White" print mirrors the tendency among Juggalos to attack and assault the very musical and celebrity guests they have come to see, from Tila Tequila to Charlie Sheen.)

The only difference is that ICP doesn't have any songs near as catchy or professional as "Hi Ho, It's Off to Work We Go." OK, and based on the average waistline in the crowd, I'm guessing Juggalos can, in fact, eat after midnight.
2

The Great Muppet Caper

The Muppets arrive at the Happiness Hotel

While visiting London, the Muppets find themselves staying at the run-down Happiness Hotel, a site that can't help but remind an astute viewer of good ol' Cave-in-Rock. The lyrics immediately bring to mind images of the Gathering - a cheerful but dilapidated, even dangerous, place, full of friends but also vermin, wanton criminality and an overpowering animal stench.

The place even has its own house band, made up in this case by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, as well as beloved Muppet favorite Rowlf the Dog. He also doesn't know how magnets work, but in fairness... he's a dog.
3

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Kali Thuggee cult ceremony

Am I implying that Juggalos are mindless drones in the sway of their charismatic leaders, ICP founding members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope? Well, I wouldn't necessarily call those two "charismatic." Compared to the great Mola Ram in "Temple of Doom," they're not really much to speak of. Kind of like those two unattractive kids who are always hanging out with Draco Malfoy.

And I suppose Juggalos haven't exactly been brainwashed. They actually do seem to like that music. Still, the Thuggees do nicely depict the Juggalos love of fire, spectacle, playing dress-up and watching other people experiencing physical pain. And even if I make fun of them a lot, I'm sure the Juggalos, the Thuggees and the rest of humanity can find common ground in being kind of irritated by Kate Capshaw.
4

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

Cage Match between Max and Master Blaster

Thunderdome is what the Gathering of the Juggalos would be if ICP were as big as U2. Bono likes to fill up the Rose Bowl, sing "Where the Streets Have No Name," tell people about how much he loves them and ask them to help out Africans. Violent J would just set up a steel cage and get two people (or three people, provided one was a duo of a midget and a really strong guy) to fight to the death.

Also of note: At least one person within the Thunderdome here has been known to exhibit misogynist, violent, anti-social and, yes, even racist behavior of late. So... you know... there's that.

[Oh, and if you thought I was going to go for the "Juggalos like to talk about beating up women"/Tina Turner connection... you disgust me.]
5

Breaking Bad

Jesse Pinkman's extended crystal meth party

Some similarities with the GOTJ right off the bat:

- Lots of people at this party are doing crystal meth
- Multiple partygoers here are known felons
- The music is scaldingly terrible
- The jumpy camerawork here intentionally makes you disoriented, much like spending several days lost in the wilderness drinking naught but SoCo and Cream Soda and navigating sharp, perilous rocks without shoes
- At least one attendee at this event is named "Badger"
6

Idiocracy

President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho's Speech

The rowdiness of the crowd here during the f*ture president's speech immediately would remind anyone of the Gathering, where crowds have been known to not just interrupt acts, but to toss things at them (including insults, beer bottles and, of course, human feces.) Also note the random shoutouts to South Carolina, and the firing off of shotguns into the air.

In fact, one strategy for keeping the on-stage acts safe during the Juggalo event could be to just start handing out automatic weapons, Terry Crews-style. If only someone had told MC Hammer in time!
7

Deliverance

"Dueling Banjos"

Hey, maybe this is one of those seminars they were talking about! See, the Gathering isn't just about listening to reprehensibly stupid hip-hop. It's also about learning to pick a mean banjo, whittle and safely treat raccoon wounds.

OK, leave aside the fact that the kid has actual musical talent. The fact is, he loves to play and to entertain, yet he totally lacks anything in the way of social graces, or even the ability to communicate with the outside world. Sound like anyone we know? (But be warned, the proper reaction when encountering a Juggalo in the wild is NOT to humor them and give them a couple of bucks. Just avoid eye contact and go about your business.)
8

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

The Flesh Fair

Before you ask, no, the band in this scene is not Insane Clown Posse, and in fact, it's not a group that has ever played at the Gathering of the Juggalos. (Actually, it's Ministry.) But wouldn't that be cool if it was? Let's just pretend...

Anyway, aesthetically, this scene probably more closely resembles the actual Gathering of the Juggalos than anything else on this list. ("Deliverance" gets the accents closest, I'd reckon.) A wild f*turistic carnival atmosphere abounds as the crowd cheers robots being torn limb from limb, much like the Gathering most certainly would if they had any access to thinking, feeling robot technology. Fortunately, I'm betting Psychopathic Records scientists are still a few years off from that discovery.
9

The Warriors

Cyrus' Speech

One theme you'll hear come up a lot when speaking with Juggalos is penises and butts. They're big fans, as indicated by this recently-spotted Juggalo graffiti.

But you'll also hear Juggalos talk of feeling like outcasts who have banded together against an uncaring world. The Warriors, clearly, feel the same way, as Cyrus here attempts to unite all of the street gangs to take control of New York. The Juggalos are maybe a bit less motivated, and easily distracted, but the comparison is still valid.

Also, hearing Cyrus' grandiose, over-the-top pronouncements about "our turf" brings to mind 2011 GOTJ guest speaker Charlie Sheen and his fixation with "wuh-wuh-winning." Shockingly, despite Cyrus' apparently healthy lifestyle and physique, he's already been outlived by a guy who brags about banging 7 gram rocks...
10

Dragnet

P.A.G.A.N. Rally

In the somewhat lamentable big-screen remake of the classic LA cop show "Dragnet," Detectives Friday and Streebeck invade a rally held by a shadowy and mysterious organization called PAGAN. (It stands for "People Against Goodness and Normalcy"! Practically the Juggalo creed!)

Seriously, I think the only explanation here is that Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope saw this film and then decided to base their annual music festival on the action. The constant pill-popping and debauchery? The Satanism and goat leggings requirement? The sacrificing of virgins (admittedly, tough to find at the Gathering)? Tom Hanks showing up in disguise? ICP must have been taking notes.

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