Blobfest

The annual signature event is a festival commemorating the Colonial’s place in cinematic history as a filming location for the 1958 classic film and all things sci-fi horror. The theme for this year’s 3-day extravaganza is “Cirque du Blobfest, mixing classic monster mania with vintage carnival and big-top thrills.

Highlights from the 3 day event include:

Day 1: Friday, July 10, 2026 – The Kickoff & Famous Run-Out
The festival opens with a surge of energy centered around the historic Colonial Theatre. The evening features a live character pre-show, a performance on the rare Wurlitzer pipe organ, and a screening of the 1958 classic The Blob. The night culminates in the iconic, screaming theater re-enactment, where hundreds of fans madly dash out of the front doors onto Bridge Street to replicate the movie’s most famous scene.

Day 2: Saturday, July 11, 2026 – The Street Fair & Costume Contests
Bridge Street transforms into a massive, family-friendly retro block party celebrating this year’s “Cirque du Blobfest” theme. The daytime features a lively Fire Extinguisher Parade, a costume contest packed with creative monsters, and over 100 vendors selling sci-fi merchandise, oddities, and original art. By night, the theater hosts a highly requested second screening and a bonus theater run-out for fans.

Day 3: Sunday, July 12, 2026 – The Road Races & “Dinner en Blob”
The final day shifts into athletic and culinary experiences. The morning kicks off with the 9th annual Blobfest 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon, sending runners through the scenic local trail system. The festival wraps up in the evening at nearby Historic Yellow Springs with “Dinner en Blob,” an elevated, communal retro dining experience where guests traditionally dress in all-red attire.