The Blairstown Museum invites you to "Dine & Dash" in beautiful and historic Blairstown, NJ, where the Friday the 13th movie franchise was born.
Blairstown Celebrates Friday the 13th
Blairstown is dialing up the thrills in its “Friday the 13th” celebration this week, with a visit from one of the first "victims" in the original movie, and the first adult “Jason” actor, plus a “Slash and Shop”, and screenings of the classic horror movie.
Whenever the infamous date of Friday the 13th rolls around, Warren County marks a chilling chapter in its history - the infamous murders at Camp Crystal Lake, when a group of teenagers were slain, one by one, while attempting to re-open the abandoned campground.
Actually, the camp is fictional and those murders never happened. But "Friday the 13th" - the 1980 American slasher film directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor Miller that led to a number of sequels and a crossover movie - was shot in and around the peaceful, rural towns of northern Warren County, and many of the exterior settings can still be seen, looking remarkably unchanged from when they were depicted in the film. Visitors are invited to check out some of those locations, see the movie, and participate in other special events on this July's Friday the 13th.
Here are the highlights:
Roy’s Hall is screening the original “Friday the 13th” at 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. showings of the film. Located at 30 Main Street, Blairstown, Roy’s Hall had a cameo in the original movie: Although it now sports a brilliant blue paint job, the theater’s distinctive architectural style makes it easy to spot in an early scene as one of the characters strolls by. Audiences go wild whenever the prominent local landmarks appear on screen. Click here to order tickets online.
The Blairstown Museum at 26 Main Street is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, where you can enjoy exhibits which include autographed memorabilia, Tom Savini's "Jason" reproduction, and the original diner letters.
Robbi Morgan, who portrayed Annie Phillips, one of the first victims in the original Friday the 13th movie, will be on trolley tours to authentic movie locations (reservations required in advance) and also appear in a costume based on her character for a ticketed meet and greet.
Thursday, July 12, brings a three-hour amazing VIP EXPERIENCE with Steve Dash, the actor who portrayed Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Part 2.
“Slash and Shop” at The Carriage House, 27 Main Street, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with local vendors.
Crystal Lake Photo Booth, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., where Blairstown Museum volunteers will be on hand across the street at their annex building, located at 27 Main Street, Blairstown, to help fans enjoy our Crystal Lake Photo Booth. This is always a fan favorite! Different Jason Voorhees actors throughout the day will pose with fans. Admission is free. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Friday the 13th Inspired Face Paintings, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., where Zella Bella will take a dark turn and provide movie inspired machete wounds and face paintings. The wounds are made from Elmer's Glue, as to avoid latex allergies. The blood gel and paste will wash off with a little soap and water. Artist Beth Sager will be located in front of the Slash and Shop from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Face paintings are $3, $5 and $10. Machete wounds are $10.
If you want to spend the day scouting the movie locations, here are a few of the spots you'll see on screen in Blairstown:
• Blair Lake and the falls
• bridge on Main Street
• Main Street
• Old Mill, archway
• Blairstown Theater (now Roy’s Hall)
• Blairstown Diner (exterior and interior). The rain falling in this scene was reportedly created by a local fire department truck.
• Store that the character Annie enters to ask for directions to the camp (next to what is now Nature’s Harvest)
The interior shot of this store is actually in the Village of Hope. Hartung’s was a small shop with a lunch counter, and is now the location of Hope Junction Antiques, which also is open and welcomes visitors.
In Hope Township, in addition to the scene shot at Hartung's, you can find:
• the Moravian Cemetery
• the intersection of Routes 519 and 521
To help you find some of the locations you'll see on screen, check out either this website for Film Locations: Behind the Scenes or Then & Now Movie Locations.
And be sure to keep your eyes open on Friday - you never know where the real life Jason is lurking!
Be a part of the fun on Friday the13th!
He's baaaaaack... Come visit the Blairstown Museum and take photos in front of iconic movie locations such as the Blairstown Museum building; enjoy exhibits which include autographed memorabilia, Tom Savini's "Jason" reproduction, and the original diner letters.
Thirteen lucky souls will join Robbi Morgan, the actress that portrayed Annie Phillips in the 1980 iconic horror movie Friday the 13th, on a popular three-hour Friday the 13th Trolley Tour.
Sold-out! Thirteen lucky souls will join Robbi Morgan, the actress that portrayed Annie Phillips in the iconic 1980 horror movie Friday the 13th, on a three-hour Friday the 13th Trolley Tour.