The 15th annual BlobFest, The Colonial Theatre’s kitschy, family-friendly event saluting the 1958 classic sci-fi movie “The Blob,” will take place July 11 through 13 at the theatre in Phoenixville. “The Blob” was filmed in and around Phoenixville, and The Colonial Theatre plays a key role in the film. The theme of this year’s ‘Fest is “Clash of the Kaiju” and features a celebration of Japanese monster films of the early 1960s. Mystery Science Theater 3000’s creator and host Joel Hodgson is special guest on Saturday afternoon. BlobFest is sponsored by Staybridge Suites Royersford.
The event begins Friday, July 11, with a stage show and “Run Out” reenactment at the theatre, hosted by BlobFest’s own Dr. Frank N. Stone. Horror host Mr. Lobo will emcee. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this weird and wacky night that features live music by Tokyo Joe and the Panic, plus the Shorty Awards recognizing the winners of BlobFest’s eighth annual amateur short film contest, a screening of the winning films, a special dance performance and audience participation.
Ghoul A Go-Go and The Patient Creature characters, plus the “real” Blob and its caretaker, Wes Shank, will be on hand as well. Special guest and Godzilla expert August Ragone will join the mayhem on Friday and return Saturday for a “Meet and Greet” and more.
Friday evening culminates with the crowd favorite, the reenactment of the “Running Out of the Theatre” scene from the movie, at approximately 9 p.m.
Tickets for this event are sold out, but fans are encouraged to gather across the street from the theatre to watch the Run Out.
BlobFest continues Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. with the StreetFair, featuring live music by rockabilly band Full Blown Cherry. At noon, the Fire Extinguisher Parade takes place as a tribute to the humble piece of firefighting equipment that saved the world from The Blob. All are invited to join in the parade.
The StreetFair then shifts into full gear with music sets by the band throughout the afternoon. A Costume Contest for fabulous cash prizes will take place at 1 p.m., with contestant registration beginning at noon. Registration is $5 per person or costume group entry. A family-friendly Tattoo Contest will be held on the StreetFair stage at 2 p.m. Phoenixville’s Into the Sun Tattoos is providing the prize of a tattoo to the winner.
Other events on the StreetFair stage are a Trivia Contest co-hosted by MST3K’s Joel Hodgson at 2:30 p.m., and “That’s Kaiju to You: Talking Monsters with August Ragone” at 3 p.m. Storytelling by The Patient Creatures will take place at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Steel City Coffee House. An all-day hot rod car show and food and merchandise vendors round out the StreetFair, which ends at 6 p.m.
Multiple showings of “The Blob,” plus two other B-movie kaiju classics, will take place inside The Colonial Theatre on Saturday. Throughout the day on the theatre’s third floor, the “real” Blob and its caretaker Wes Shank will greet fans, as will Godzilla expert and author August Ragone, characters from Ghoul A Go-Go, a New York-based children’s show, and The Patient Creatures.
While admission to the StreetFair is free, wristbands must be purchased for access to the special guests, displays and vendors on three floors of the Colonial Theatre. The wristband purchase also includes a seat for either the 11 a.m. or 3:10 p.m. double feature, “The Blob” (1958) and “Mothra” (1961).
The Saturday Late Show double feature includes “The Blob” followed by “King Kong vs. Godzilla” (1962). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. BlobFest 15 concludes Sunday, July 13, with a screening of the “The Giant Spider” (2013), followed by a showing of “The Blob.” Spider writer/director Christopher Mihm will be on hand Sunday to discuss his film, which is an homage to the sci-fi movies of the 1950s and ‘60s. Ticket prices for the Saturday and Sunday afternoon and Saturday evening double features are $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for theatre members and children 12 and under. All available BlobFest tickets can be purchased through the theatre’s website at www.thecolonialtheatre.com. For additional information, call 610-917-1228.
“We’ve got a great lineup of guests, films and events,” said Colonial Executive Director Mary Foote. “BlobFest 15 will have something for everyone, so bring your friends, bring your kids and come on out to the Colonial for our biggest event of the year.”
