26th Annual Blobfest Coming To Colonial Theatre This July

Horror movie fans and film buffs alike are invited to take part in a three-day ghoulishly fun-filled festival during the historic Colonial Theatre’s (227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA) Blobfest. From July 11 to 13, the festival, now in its 26th year, pays homage to the theater’s starring role in the 1958 classic Steve McQueen film, The Blob.

This year’s Blobfest theme is “Camp Blobfest,” promising an outrageously over-the-top festival experience filled with nostalgia, thrills and larger-than-life fun. Fans can celebrate the cult classic with a killer lineup of events during the festival, including a street fair, costume contest and various screenings of the sci-fi film.

Phoenixville’s favorite movie monster first oozed into town over 60 years ago, leaving a lasting mark after the Colonial Theatre’s iconic cameo. In the film’s most famous scene, terrified moviegoers burst out of the theater, fleeing the ever-growing, otherworldly creature, and cementing the Colonial’s place in horror movie history.

“Blobfest is more than just a celebration of such a classic film; it’s a celebration of community, creativity and the enduring legacy of the Colonial Theatre,” said Jennifer Carlson, executive director of the theater. “Each year, we’re thrilled to see generations of fans come together in Phoenixville to embrace the weird, the wonderful and the wonderfully weird. With this year’s new additions and expanded access, we’re proud to make Blobfest more inclusive, more imaginative and more unforgettable than ever.”

The Colonial Theatre is rolling out exciting new additions to this year’s Blobfest thanks to an $8,000 grant from PECO’s Equal Access to Arts and Culture program. The funding will support expanded outreach efforts within Phoenixville’s Hispanic community. As part of this initiative, the Colonial will offer fully-funded, free tickets to all screenings of La Masa Devoradora, the Spanish-language version of The Blob, ensuring greater access for Spanish-speaking audiences. Additionally, DJ Jholi, a well-known local Latin music DJ, will take the stage during Saturday’s street fair on July 12, spinning a high-energy set at 5 p.m, just ahead of the 6:30 p.m. screening of La Masa Devoradora.

The grant will also support the launch of a brand-new Family Fun Zone, debuting during the Camp Blobfest: Saturday Street Fair. The immersive space is designed for Blobfest‘s youngest fans, offering hands-on visual and performing arts experiences tailored for school-aged children. Highlights include a collaborative public mural with Barnstone Art for Kids, line dancing lessons led by Feet First, and improv and movement classes with local artist Paul Deichmann. Kids can also make friendship bracelets and get their faces painted, courtesy of Studio 323.

The festival officially begins on July 11, at 6 p.m., with a sold-out, spine-tingling Stage Show and iconic Run-Out, a must-see tradition for Blobfest enthusiasts. Attendees will gather around the campfire with their favorite horror hostess and honorary camp counselor, Aurora Gorealis, for a night of spooky fun. The evening will feature live music, Shorty’s Short Film Contest and a thrilling reenactment of the legendary Run-Out scene from The Blob. After the Run-Out, guests are invited back to the Colonial at 9 p.m. for the Blob Ball — a throwback dance party that transforms the theater’s lobby into a lively 1950s rock ‘n’ roll bash, complete with vintage outfits, themed cocktails, dancing and classic tunes.

The fun continues on July 12 with the Camp Blobfest: Saturday Street Fair, an action-packed day of community festivities. The free event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the ever-popular Fire Extinguisher Parade, paying homage to the film’s iconic blob-fighting scene. The fair brings together over 70 unique vendors, live bands, DJs, exclusive Blobfest merchandise, a fun-filled kids’ activity zone and a crowd favorite costume contest at 1 p.m.

Festival goers can also attend screenings of the original and Spanish-dubbed versions of The Blob and other horror movies throughout the weekend. Due to high demand, an additional Run-Out will take place Saturday evening, at 6:30 p.m., offering fans a second chance to be part of the action and excitement.

The festival’s final day on July 13 kicks off in the morning with the 8th Annual Blobfest 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. The race is organized each year to help celebrate and support the Colonial Theatre. Every finisher in each race will receive a Blob-themed finisher’s medal. After the races, participants can look forward to a final screening of The Blob, Gremlins 2: The New Batch and Matt McGinnis’s Movie Riffing Melee: Camp-O-Rama.

For tickets and full event details, visit thecolonialtheatre.com/blobfest/.