Blobfest celebrates 20th anniversary
PHOENIXVILLE >> As Phoenixville’s favorite gelatinous monster oozed into town for the weekend, the community celebrated the 20th anniversary of Blobfest.
Events ran all weekend long, paying homage to the 1958 cult classic sci-fi film, “The Blob,” which was filmed in Chester County.
Festivities began Friday night with the frightfully fun stage show and popular “Run Out” event. Reenacting the infamous scene from the film, hundreds of people ran screaming out of the Colonial Theatre onto Bridge Street, where a cheering crowd of thousands lined up to watch.
Fun continued inside the theatre where, for the first time, the popular Blob Ball was held in the lobby. Hosted by Lulu’s Boutique, people danced the night away to
rockabilly tunes, dressed in their favorite 1950s attire.
“It was always intended to support silliness, creativity and the community around the Colonial Theatre and The Blob,” noted Blobfest committee member and festival co-founder Andee Miskiewicz. “It gives license for people to play. Phoenixville is a very special place. You can do things here that you can’t necessarily do in other burbs. It’s important for people to see there is a reward for creativity and there is fun to be had.”
Saturday afternoon, the quirky events continued with the Blobfest street fair. Fest-goers enjoy the fire extinguisher parade, costume contest, pet parade, live music and vintage cars.
Dozens of sci-fi and horror themed vendors set up tables selling unique wares and macabre artwork. Inside The Colonial Theatre, multiple screenings of “The Blob” and other classic “B” movies were shown, along with an interactively creepy throwback style Spook Show.
New to the fest this year was the “Ooze Out” addition to Friday night’s Run Out event. For the first time, people could purchase tickets for seats in the theatre’s balcony, an area the iconic movie monster was seen devouring in the film.
Also new this year, was the first Blobfest Pet Parade which took place during the street fair. Awards and prizes were handed out to participating pets in three categories: Scariest, Funniest and Most Blob-like.
Several special guests were on hand to meet and greet fans, including Kris Yeaworth, son of Irvin Yeaworth, who directed “The Blob”; Marta Kristen from TV’s “Lost in Space”; Sharon Smyth-Lentz from “Dark Shadows”; Craig Reinbrecht and his B9 Robot; and producer Mark Allen Stuart.
Additionally, Joel Hodgson, creator and original host of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” spoke to the audience during Saturday night’s double feature film screening.
“Blobfest puts Phoenixville and the Colonial Theatre on the map. It cements this town and this theatre’s legacy into perpetuity. The festival brings joy to people, allowing for the simple, the campy and the nostalgic,” said Chuck Francisco, a Blobfest committee member, who becomes character “Dash Daring” throughout the three-day event.
Filmed locally in Phoenixville, Chester Springs and Downingtown, “The Blob” starred a young future screen legend, Steve McQueen, as he raced to save an entire town from an ever-expanding goopy monster that threatened to ingest all of humanity.
Several scenes were shot at various locations along Main Street and Bridge Street, which is another draw for fans of the movie to come to Phoenixville and see in person.
In the weeks leading up to Blobfest, multiple businesses in the borough decorated their storefront windows with creepy Blob inspired scenes, another engaging aspect of the festival for the community.
Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler noted the festival is a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase themselves to out-of-towners and residents alike. He commented how the rebirth of the town can largely be traced to the beginning of Blobfest, 20 years ago.
“Blobfest is one of Phoenixville’s flagship festivals. It’s a wonderful event for people of all ages to come out and celebrate as a community. In some ways, Blobfest mirrors the renaissance of Phoenixville. It showcases how arts and culture has played a major role in the town’s revitalization. As the town has grown, so has Blobfest. It’s exciting to see how the two have grown together over the past 20 years,” said Urscheler.
“We also invited several local non-profits to participate in this year’s street fair to help spread the word about the great work they’re doing in our community,” remarked Brendan Carr, Colonial Theatre’s marketing director. “Whether folks are coming to participate in the