What To Do: ‘The Blob’ returns to Phoenixville

Stay cool with these hot summer activities

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

The annual BlobFest in Phoenixville is unique — in the correct sense of the word. In the whole world, there is just one BlobFest and it’s held every year right here in Chester County.

“The Blob” is a low-budget horror film that was filmed at the Colonial Theatre and other locations around Phoenixville in 1958. The movie, which starred a very young Steve McQueen, has evolved over the years into a full-fledged cult classic.

“Blob” fans from all around the globe will be heading to Phoenixville to participate in the 17th Annual BlobFest. The Colonial Theatre (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com) will host the BlobFest with a variety of special events from July 8-10.

On July 8, it will be time for the re-enactment of the “Running out of The Colonial” scene. The dress code is billed as “creative” so that the scene will look just like it did when that classic scene was filmed here many years ago.

As usual, tickets for the screening have sold out already. But, people are invited to still come to Phoenixville to watch the “Runout” spectacle at approximately 9 p.m.

On July 9, the “Blob Streetfair,” which begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m., will feature live music, food booths, a “Fire Extinguisher Parade,” roving entertainment, Merchant Facade Contest, a costume contest and an array of special guests including Mr. Lobo, Dixie Dellamorto, Dash Daring and musical guests Dibbs Preston & the Detonators.

Also featured will be Lee Wanner and the original fire truck from The Blob, and the Dirty Devils Motor Club.

Marta Kristen, who was Judy in the classic TV sci-fi series “Lost in Space,” and the B9 Robot will be special guests on Saturday and Sunday. At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, there will be a Q&A session with Kristen.

Other activities on July 9 include screenings of “The Blob” and “This Island Earth” at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and the twin bill of “The Blob” and “Queen of Blood” at 8 p.m.

On July 10, there will be an encore screening of “The Blob” along with “The Late Night Double Feature,” which is comprised of two short films — “X: The Fiend from Beyond Space” and “The Wall People.”

There is another special event this weekend that focus on dead characters and spooky stories. On July 9 at 10 a.m., Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present a program called “The Hot Spots and Storied Plots.”

Those who dare are invited to join Laurel Hill Cemetery staff for an informative overview of Laurel Hill’s long and colorful history. The tour will include many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views and legendary stories that make the cemetery a special location.

The walking tour will depart from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue promptly at 11 a.m. Tickets are $12 and there will be free parking in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse. “The Hot Spots and Storied Plots” will be presented on fourth Fridays, January through November; and second Saturdays, May through October.

Other activities at Laurel Hill this weekend are

“Lunar Stroll: Photographing Laurel Hill After Hours” on July 8 at 8 p.m.,

“Gettysburg and Beyond: Laurel Hill’s Ultimate Civil War Tour” on July 9 at 1 p.m. and “Patriots, Politicians and Playwrights: Philadelphia’s Lawyers’ on July 10 at 1 p.m.

Listening to live music under the stars is an excellent way to spend a warm summer night and the event at ChesLen Preserve (1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, 610-486-6288, www.NatLands.org) this weekend is a great way to do it.

On July 8 from 8-11 p.m., ChesLen Preserve (1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville, 610-486-6288, www.NatLands.org) will host a special event known as “Friday Night Lights at Natural Lands Trust’s ChesLen Preserve.”

Natural Lands Trust’s 6th annual Friday Night Lights features a fantastic evening of music, beer, wine, and sunset socializing on one of Chester County’s most inspiring landscapes: our 1,263-acre ChesLen Preserve.

The once-a-year event will feature live music by featuring Ben Arnold and Johnny Miles & the Waywards!, complimentary adult beverages from Victory Brewing Company and Borderland Vineyard and an assortment of “sweet and savory snacks.”

Another attraction will be stargazing with Chesmont Astronomical Society, the Chester County Astronomical Society and the Delaware Astronomical Society and sunset socializing — and marshmallow roasting — around a crackling fire at the Preserve in Unionville.

Visitors are requested to bring their own blanket or camping chairs, and wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground. No dogs or coolers will be permitted.Tickets are $25 and advance registration required.

The 1,263-acre ChesLen Preserve is one of the largest private nature preserves in southeastern Pennsylvania. It features sweeping agricultural fields, densely wooded stream corridors and rare serpentine barrens. There are many points on the property from which visitors can gaze for miles in any direction and see virtually no signs of modern development.

In 2010, The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) designated portions of ChesLen Preserve — specifically the Unionville Barrens — as a “Pennsylvania Wild Plant Sanctuary.” The program encourages the conservation of natural areas and native plants, and recognizes private landowners who serve as models of good conservation and stewardship of these special resources.

From July 12-16, the Malvern Fire Company Fair (Monument Grounds, Monument Avenue, Malvern, 610-647-0693, www.malvernfireco.com) will be held from 6-10 p.m. each night.

The free event features rides, games and fun for the entire family and discount ride coupons will be available at local merchants. As an added attraction, there will be a gala fireworks display on July 15 at 9:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks extravaganza will be postponed to July 16.

On July 9 and 10, it will be time once again for the Hispanic Fiesta at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia (Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-922-2FUN, www.delawareriverwaterfrontcorp.com) — one of the oldest annual events in the Delaware Valley.

This weekend, the tourist site along the Delaware River will host the 35^th annual staging of the Hispanic Fiesta.

Traditionally, the Hispanic Fiesta features authentic Latin American entertainment, crafts and cuisine. This year, the Hispanic Fiesta will present a wide selection of Latin music, including mariachi, salsa, bachata, merengue, samba, boleros and reggaeton. Live entertainment will be presented throughout the day with Mikey Mikey as the headline act.

Additionally, the Fiesta will showcase artisan crafts and authentic foods from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, and other parts of Latin America. Hours both days are noon-8 p.m.

There will be a special event in the area this weekend to commemorate Bastille Day.

In France, Bastille Day is a major holiday (“Fete Nationale”) that is celebrated on July 14. The holiday commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, which was held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.

“Bastille Day Celebration 2016” (State Street, Media, 610-566-5039, VisitMediaPa.com) will be held on July 12 from 6-10 p.m.in the heart of downtown Media. The festival will have its own “Storming of the Bastille.” State Street will be closed to traffic and instead will feature art, music, dancing, theater, outdoor dining, plein air painters, crafters, abstract artists and crafters.

“Le Village des Enfants” will be open from 6-8 p.m. during Media’s Bastille Day celebration at State Street and Veteran’s Square. Children’s activities include face painting, music, and lanterns (a traditional French symbol of Bastille Day). There will be a barricade just like the one at the Bastille made of boxes decorated by children.

On July 9, Media will also host its “2nd Saturday Arts Stroll.” On the second Saturday of every month, more than 30 State Street area businesses stay open late as part of a free arts event. From 6-9 p.m., shops, galleries and cafes host local musicians or display the work of local artists.

All of Media’s weekend activities will not take place in the center of town. One special event is scheduled for July 9 at Linvilla Orchards (137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com).

This is the season to enjoy outdoor festivals celebrating fresh seasonal fruit — blueberry festivals and strawberry festivals in early July and peach festivals later in the month. This weekend, the blueberry is in the spotlight.

In 1999, the United States Department of Agriculture in 1999 proclaimed July as “National Blueberry Month.” To celebrate, Linvilla Orchards has been presenting its annual Blueberry Festival ever since. This year’s festival is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

There will be plenty of fresh blueberries that you can pick (starting at 8 a.m.) or purchase already picked. There will also be a wide array of freshly-baked blueberry treats available for purchase.

The schedule features a full slate of family-oriented activities throughout the day including appearances by costumed characters, pony rides, face painting and a crafts area. Makin’ Music will perform live and serve as host for the event.

The roster of costumed characters participating in Saturday’s event includes Blueberry Dog, Dr. Duck and Travelling Train. There will be games and contests including the “Fruit Monster Bean Toss,” a “Hula Hoop Contest” and the event’s highlight — the “Blueberry Pie Eating Contest” at 2 p.m.

If you want to attend the 2016 Kutztown Folk Festival (Kutztown Fairgrounds, off Route 222, Kutztown, 888-674-6136,www.kutztownfestival.com), it’s now or never. This is the final weekend. The popular annual event runs through July 10.

The Kutztown Folk Festival, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, is billed as a celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture. The multi-day event focuses on traditional crafts, food, music and folk life.

The festival features country auctions, parades and bands, fiddling, live music and dancing, comedy, storytelling and historical seminars. Daily activities include displays of farming and gardening, churches and weddings, folk life, Pennsylvania Dutch dialect and folklore, furniture, spinning and weaving, country cooks and candle making.

The festival also offers non-stop entertainment with country auctions, parades and bands, fiddling, live music and dancing, comedy, storytelling and historical seminars. Additionally, over 200 juried folk artists and traditional American craftsmen will be participating with both sales and demonstrations.

There will also be a lot of attractions for children including puppet shows, make-and-take crafts sessions, visits with baby farm animals, real-life haystacks, story time sessions, a hay maze, sing-alongs and a variety of hands-on activities.

As always, there will be plenty of booths featuring Pennsylvania Dutch food treats and beverages, including family style feasts, shoo-fly pies, sausage sandwiches, pastries, country chicken dinners, strawberry shortcake, funnel cakes, ox roasts, sarsaparilla and chicken potpie.

The festival will open its gates each day at 10 a.m. and run until 8 p.m. on July 3 and 4 and 6 p.m. on July 5. Admission to the festival is $14 for adults, $13 for senior citizens and $5 for students (13-17) with children (12 and under) admitted free.

You can treat your pets to a day out on July 10 by taking them to a party geared for pets. On Sunday, Chestnut Hill will host Petapalooza from noon-3 p.m. in the area around Germantown and East Highland avenues.

The free event invites humans and their pets out for a full afternoon of events designed for dogs and cats — and their owners, too. Special pet-oriented activities include a paw reader, arts and crafts, a photo booth, live music, yappy hour and more.Activity locations are: Face Painter, 8505 Germantown Avenue; Caricaturist, 8400 Germantown Avenue; Petting Zoo, 8419 Germantown Avenue (Rear); Cartoonist, 8441 Germantown Avenue; GardenCool Cube Photo Booth, East Highland Avenue; Gen3 Bouncy House, East Highland Avenue; and Paw Reader, East Highland Avenue.

All exhibitors are located on East Highland Avenue. Some of the featured exhibitors are Weavers Way Pet Supply, Queenie’s Pets, VETdispatch, Primal Pet Foods, Hickory Veterinary Hospital, Lucky Dog Treats, Bad Dog Good Dog Training, Chestnut Hill Cat Clinic, Opportunity Barks, and Pet Food Experts.

Attendees will be able to find a wide array of jewelry selections priced very affordably at this weekend’s “International Gem & Jewelry Show” at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks, 484-754-EXPO, www.intergem.com).

The show, which is a sales and exhibition event that features gems, jewelry, fossils and stones of all sorts, is running from July 8-10 and is billed as the “world’s largest jewelry bazaar”.

Admission to the public show is $8 for adults while children (ages 9-16) are free with a paid adult ticket. The show’s policy states that children ages eight and under are not permitted to attend the show.

The “International Gem & Jewelry Show” features an amazing exhibition of gems, minerals and jewelry. Dealers will be displaying and selling every type of gemstone, as well as one-of-a-kind jewelry creations, estate jewelry, special celebrity exhibits and accessories.

The show will have more than 150 dealer booths where show attendees can select items from a wide range of categories, including beads, rings, settings, watches, necklaces, diamonds, opals, earrings, silver, gold, crystals and pearls.