Thousands of spectators gathered on Friday in front of the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, to watch the annual “Run-Out” that signals the start of the 17th annual Blobfest, writes Virginia Lindak for Daily Local News.

Mirroring the well-known scene from “The Blob,” hundreds of people wearing colorful 1950s outfits ran out of the movie theatre into the street, frantically waving their arms and screaming as if escaping the infamous blob monster. As the original setting for this scene from the movie, the theatre re-enacts it every year to kick off the festival.

“The Blob,” filmed in Phoenixville, Chester Springs, and Downingtown by director Irvin “Shorty” Yeaworth in 1958, also marked the first leading role for acting-legend Steve McQueen.

To commemorate Phoenixville’s timeless involvement with this classic film, there were events all weekend including a bustling street fair, best costume contest and a fire extinguisher parade.

“It’s a very particular synergy. It’s a movie that is family friendly, but also a little creepy,” said Andee Miskiewicz, member of the Blobfest committee. He added that the movie has a great creepy atmosphere and features many local places, which residents love to cheer.

“It has an interesting connection with the borough, because of the history of ‘The Blob’ being filmed here,” he enthused.

Read more about the fun event at Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre here.