by Stephen Krock
This weekend sees the return of Phoenixville’s annual BlobFest at its historic Colonial Theatre, which was the setting for an iconic scene from the fest’s eponymous film. Rain or sine, the event kicks off Friday 7/12 with its patented “Run Out,” where the all the theatre’s guests flee in terror. A reenactment of the aforementioned scene. Sadly, all the tickets for the “Run Out” are sold out, but there is plenty to do before you can head over to the street across from the theatre at 9PM and watch all those silly Blobberheads scream. Doors to the Colonial Theatre open at 7PM. Be sure to catch the stage show hosted by Dr. Frank N. Stone (I GET IT!) and New York’s Ghoul-A-Go-Go, the dulcet sounds of stage band Sid Cada and the Exterminators, and check out a screening of the Shorty Award nominated film shorts (winners to be announced). You can also wander up to the theatre’s third floor to greet the special guests: Wes Shank, caretaker of the “real” Blob (also in attendance), The Patient Creatures, and Keith Almoney, one of The Blob‘s many stars.
Saturday morning, 7/13, at 11AM, the fest continues with the BlobFest Streetfair. Hosted by Hot Rod Scott & Professor Ouch of the Roots Rockabilly Roadhouse on WPRB 103.3FM, this family affair includes the Fire Extinguisher Parade (to celebrate the weapon that ultimately defeated The Blob), Costume Contest, Merchant Facade Contest, and classic cars showing until 5PM. The list of special guests also grows to include Olde City Side Show, The Violators Motor Club, and the musical stylings of The Buzzards. Throughout the day you can also catch two double features of The Blob and Them! Later night, the giant killer ants of Them! take five as the day closes with another screening of The Blob, followed by Tarantula!
Wrapping up this particularly bug infested BlobFest is one more screening of The Blob (this includes a Q&A sessions with Keith Almoney) and then The Deadly Mantis on Sunday 7/14 at 2PM.
Tickets for the screenings are $6-$10. Doors open 30 minutes before show times. Be there or be square.
