PHOENIXVILLE — Celebrating its 25th year, Blobfest has become a landmark event in the Phoenixville community and the greater Philadelphia region every summer. For more than two decades, the weekend-long festival highlights the iconic 1958 cult movie, “The Blob” which was filmed locally in Chester County, including Phoenixville. Thousands of people attend the festival each year paying homage to an early sci-fi classic starring screen legend Steve McQueen and his quest to save an entire town from the now iconic gelatinous movie monster.
“Blobfest is Phoenixville’s claim to fame in classic Hollywood and the festival makes for a fun, off-beat way to celebrate that,” said Drew Boardman, event director at the Colonial Theatre. “It’s great for people from all walks of life, and a cool history for people to share with generations to come. A mix of the off-beat and generational aspects has made for a festival that endures.
” Festivities began on Friday night with the crowd-favorite “Run-Out” event. Hundreds of fans reenacted the most iconic scene from the film, as they ran screaming out the front doors of the Colonial Theatre onto Bridge Street. Afterward, the annual Blob Ball was held in the theater’s lobby, hosted by Lulu’s Boutique and Gifterie.
People danced the night away dressed in colorful 1950s outfits and an array of costumes. “With the big anniversary, we’re going full Blob! We have screenings all day Saturday of the film, a late-night screening of the 1988 remake of “The Blob.” For the first time at Blobfest a screening of “Beware! The Blob,” the sequel to the original film featuring a live riff starring Joel Hodgson, Matt McGinnis and Emily Marsh from ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000,’” Boardman said.
On Saturday, the festival continued with the large street fair on Bridge Street featuring more than 70 vendors selling unique sci-fi and horror-related memorabilia, and live music. Additionally, there was the Fire Extinguisher Parade, and kid’s activity area. Several contests were held through the weekend including the Costume Contest, Shorty’s Short Film Contest, and the Façade Decorating Contest where businesses in the borough decorated their storefront windows with Blob-inspired scenes.
There were also the Blobfest 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon running events. With the influx of thousands of sci-fi and horror movie fans coming to the Colonial Theatre each July for the festival, the theater spends months preparing for the three-day event. “It takes months of planning.
From picking the theme and movie titles to garnering sponsors and getting tickets live. It takes a village to bring Blobfest to life, one consisting of both staff and volunteers without whom the festival wouldn’t be possible,” Boardman said. “Blobfest is such an extraordinary, world-class attraction,” noted Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler.
“It’s a little campy and allows people the freedom to express themselves within that movie genre. It’s so exciting to see people of all ages come out, families, and everyone getting into the spirit and having fun. That’s what Blobfest is all about; people coming together and expressing themselves, and doing it in a really family-friendly, beautiful, community way.
” “It’s always exciting when you have the opportunity to have your community featured on the big screen. A lot of Phoenixville was featured in the film and other parts of Chester County. It’s exciting to see our hometown displayed in that unique fashion,” he added.
“I love Blobfest. My wife and I have lived in Phoenixville for more than 20 years and we’ve seen it evolve over the years. It’s incredible what the theater is able to do.
The scope of it and how far people travel for it. It attracts so many people to town,” said Jason Hafer, who owns Reads & Company Bookstore on Bridge Street across from the Colonial Theatre. “I love the Run-Out,” said Tess Strayer, a sales associate at Reads & Company.
“It’s super interesting to watch people run out in their costumes, and the throwing of the popcorn and the screaming. Even if you aren’t participating in the Run-Out you still feel like you’re a huge part of that event just watching and being there screaming with people, it’s very funny.” “I’m excited.
I grew up watching The Blob and moved to town recently. It’s part of the town’s fun, weird history. I’m excited to be downtown and to work during Blobfest and see who comes in,” added Sara Lepkoff, who also works at Reads & Co.
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