Why, Winona, Why?

Unless you’ve been living in the Upside Down, you know Winona Ryder. The American actress, made famous for her roles in Beetlejuice (and the forthcoming sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Heathers, Dracula, Edward Scissorhands, Reality Bites, and the Netflix smash hit Stranger Things, is the inspiration behind this year’s Denver Film Summer Scream fundraiser (August 22; 6–11 p.m. at Lakeside Amusement Park).

“Is there any better way to celebrate the very best night of the summer than with a themed party?” event specialist Andrew Novick says. “And which actress’ career makes for the very best theme to riff on for a costume party than the cooler-than-cool Winona Ryder? She’s that one movie icon who’s been the star we’ve been wishing on since the late 1980s—the one we wished could’ve been our girlfriend, or our gothy bestie, or even our way-out mom.”

Novick, along with immersive creator Chris Getzan, took over the reins for the annual event two summers ago. A longtime Denver Film supporter and board member, Novick, who first met Getzan at civic health nonprofit Warm Cookies of the Revolution, has grown the scope of Summer Scream in his tenure. Now, the fundraiser, which is in its 12th year, combines cosplay, trivia, music, and, of course, movies.

“We always felt that Summer Scream didn’t necessarily have to be about ‘something,’ ” Getzan says. “It was more about mixing and matching ideas in ways that nobody’s ever going to see or will ever see again except for this one night.”

In their first year on the job in 2022, Getzan and Novick concentrated on Lakeside Amusement Park’s 100-plus-year history with a scavenger hunt around the area; a 1960s dance party with go-go dancers from Mile High Soul Club; and music from bands that played at Lakeside once upon a time, such as Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. Last year, the duo turned to the 1990s: Furby, Tamagotchi, Pogs, X Files and Twin Peaks paraphernalia, and a giant re-creation of a Blockbuster video rental store filled the park.

So how have Getzan and Novick vowed to keep the wow alive? “The truth is, lots of people have been to a ’70s- or ’80s-themed party. And if we said we were doing something like that at Lakeside, they could easily visualize what it would look like. But when you say you’re going to do a Winona Ryder–themed party, you see a dumbfounded look, then, ‘I love this idea, but I have no idea what’s going to happen.’ And that’s what we want.”

Denver Film is encouraging guests to come as their best Winona, whether that’s as an aging ballerina fighting to stay relevant in Black Swan or a high school cheerleader in Edward Scissorhands or Spock’s mom in Star Trek. Also options: Ryder’s costars (like teen outcast turned killer J.D., played by Christian Slater, from Heathers) or even deeper cuts from her L’Oréal or H&M advertising campaigns. “As you go down the Winona rabbit hole, you’ll see just how deep it actually goes,” Getzan says. “Winona Ryder transcends decades and genres, time and space,” Novick adds.

While the two are staying mum on many of the secrets and surprises for this year’s event, guests can expect a scavenger hunt, unlimited rides, and open bars. Professional set designers are actively building mini sets from Ryder’s films and the Colorado Academy of Cosplay is creating outfits inspired by Ryder’s films. Rocky Mountain Pro Wrestling has signed on to hit the mat with a Winona twist, and there will be a showcase of Ryder’s Teen Beat phase.

Plus, the Sie FilmCenter is currently screening a selection of Ryder’s best performances leading up to the Summer Scream event. There, you can win a temporary “Winona Forever” tattoo, inspired by the one Johnny Depp had etched on his arm (and later altered to “Wino Forever”).

The bottom line is: “You’re not going to see this again anywhere,” Getzan says. “You’re going to go to a 116-year-old amusement park at the height of summer and spend it with a bunch of similarly minded artists and enthusiasts—3,000 of your closest friends. Honestly, I can’t think of anything more romantic than to be around a bunch of Winonas on this one night.”

And, if we’re lucky, maybe the real Winona Ryder makes a surprise appearance.

Summer Scream is August 22 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Lakeside Amusement Park (4601 Sheridan Blvd.). Individual tickets (21+) are $65 for Denver Film members ($75 for non-members). Purchase at denverfilm.org.