If you are around Phoenixville, PA. on July 11-13th, you can celebrate one of the great American sci-fi thrillers, “The Blob.”
The ninth annual BlobFest is set for July 11, 12, and 13th.
“The Blob” turns 50.
The Colonial Theatre’s 9th annual BlobFest, is described as a “kitschy, family-friendly event” celebrating the famous film which shot in and around Phoenixville, PA.
First, a free party will be thrown on opening Friday night, July 11th, at the theatre.
The organizers announce that the doors will open at 7 p.m. for this fun night that includes a Tin Foil Hat Competition (SP4, perhaps you can nominate an entry?)Scream Contest, music by The Neanderthals, “The Band That Time Forgot,” and the Shorty Awards recognizing the winners of the second annual amateur short film contest.
The evening ends with a bang as the festival crowd favorite is reenacted; the “Running Out of the Theatre” scene from the movie at 9 p.m.
BlobFest continues Saturday, July 12th at noon when the winner of Friday night’s Scream Contest kicks-off the Fire Extinguisher Parade with a blood-curdling shriek.
The StreetFair then gets into full gear with a Costume Contest for cash prizes (12:15 p.m.), plus live music by The Neanderthals, a classic car exhibit and food and merchandise vendors.
Multiple showings of “The Blob”, plus two other horror classics, will take place inside the Colonial on Saturday. “The Blob” will be shown at 2 p.m., followed by “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” (in 3D) at 3:30 p.m.
Special guest Ricou Browning, who played the Creature in the underwater segments, will introduce the film. The Blob will be shown again at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to Browning, organizers have announced special guests at BlobFest on Friday and Saturday include the “real” Blob and its caretaker Wes Shank (Saturday only), Vlad and Creighton from Ghoul a-Go-Go, a New York-based children’s show, and movie special effects and makeup artist and actor Tom Savini, who is best known for his work on the Living Dead films directed by George Romero.
This very cool sounding event continues on 1 p.m. on Saturday a special 50th Anniversary Blob retrospective will take place in the theatre. It will be led by “Blob Scholar” Dave Lentz.
The price of admission for the films is cheap: StreetFair is free, but wristbands must be purchased for access to the displays, events, vendors and special guests on three floors of the Colonial Theatre. The wristband purchase also includes a seat for the afternoon double feature. Wristband prices are $4 (children 13 and under, Colonial members), $6 (seniors, students with ID), $7 (adults).
Doors open at 8 p.m. for the Saturday Late Show which starts with an 8:30 p.m. showing of a Ghoul A-Go-Go episode, followed by “The Blob” at 9 p.m. and then “The Tingler” starring Vincent Price at 10:30 p.m.
Tickets for the double feature are $4 (children 13 and under, Colonial members), $6
(seniors, students with ID), $7 (adults).
BlobFest ’08 concludes Sunday, July 13th, with a special salute to Steve McQueen at the Colonial and an opportunity for fans to explore the former movie studio, located less than seven miles from The Colonial Theatre, which produced The Blob.
A screening of the 2007 documentary “An American Rebel: Steve McQueen” will take place Sunday, July 13th, at 2 p.m. The film’s director, Richard Martin, who was a fellow actor and friend of McQueen’s, will be on hand for questions after the screening. Ticket prices are $4 (members and children 13 and under)/ $6 (seniors)/$7 (adults).
A showing of “The Blob” after the documentary is included in the ticket price. Historic Yellow Springs, which was the home of Valley Forge Films/Good News Productions, will be open for free tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. A driving map featuring this site along with notable Blob film locations such as Doc Hallen’s office, the diner and Jerry’s Market will be available to download from the Colonial’s website.