By Molly Given
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Every summer, The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville sets aside a few days to pay homage to the venue’s starring role in a 1958 classic Steve McQueen film. Blobfest centers around the popular horror cult classic, ‘The Blob’, and the three-day festival will give film buffs and horror fans the chance to check out live performances, special engagements, tours, and more.
Audiences can catch The Colonial in the film during a scene where a large crowd runs out of the theatre to escape the renowned monster, and since then, the venue has dedicated time to celebrating all things horror. Blobfest will kick off this year from July 12 to 14, but will celebrate a little early on July 11 with a special Blobest Eve screening of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s classic movie musical ‘Grease’, which features a scene at a drive-in movie theater playing ‘The Blob’.
The festival officially begins on July 12, with the Blobfest 2024 Stage Show and Run Out. While here, attendees will be able to enjoy an original, live stage show featuring Baltimore-based horror host Aurora Gorealis of Shocktail Hour, live music performed by Beach Creeper, Shorty’s Short Film Contest, and an audience re-enactment of The Blob’s famous ‘run out’ scene, a release notes.
The Colonial Theatre’s Blob Ball hosted by LuLu Boutique & Gifterie will then follow suit after the event, where guests can dance to live music and dress up in 1950s attire.
“2024 is a special year for Blobfest. This year, we come together not only to celebrate the history of the filming of ‘The Blob’, but also to celebrate Blobfest itself – for the endurance and growing popularity of the festival over 25 years,” says Jennifer Carlson, the Colonial Theatre’s executive director in a statement. “A quarter of a century of Blobfest is a testament to the event across multiple generations. Similar to the teenagers saving the day in ‘The Blob’, it is because of creative and can-do volunteers that Blobfest became a reality and has continued 25 years strong.”
The Blobfest Street Fair will be taking over the Bridge and Main street on July 13 beginning at 11 a.m. Guests can expect more than 70 sci-fi and horror-themed vendors, live bands, a fire extinguisher parade, and a Blobfest Merchandise tent where attendees can purchase unique trinkets as well.
Then the Theatre itself will host screenings of ‘The Blob’ — including the English version, Spanish dubbed version, and 1988 remake — throughout the day. And as the release notes, in honor of the 25th anniversary, a second Blobfest Run-Out will be held following the 6:30 screening of ‘The Blob’. Additionally, at 2 p.m., guests of all ages can cosplay their way to the parking lot at Main & Bridge Street to see festivalgoers decked out in their best and boldest Blob-themed looks on the Costume Contest catwalk.
The festival will close out on July 14 with with the 7th Annual Blobfest 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, hosted by RUNegades. Benefits from this unique event go to support The Colonial, and the half marathon is the newest addition to the already popular 5K, 10K, and kids’ fun-run.
The workout portion of the festival will then be followed by a final screening of ‘The Blob’, the 1972 sequel film ‘Beware! The Blob’ featuring a live riff by Matt McGinnis, Joel Hodgson, and Emily Marsh, and the 1954 black-and-white monster film ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ in 3D.
