Get out your planners and figure out how many vacation days you have left because you won’t want to miss any of these movie and TV festivals that celebrate your favorite TV show, movie, and legend! (I’ll be posting more of these events so reach out if you know of a festival you want me to mention.)
Shawshank Redemption 30th Anniversary Celebration
Let’s start with Shawshank Redemption, the movie that’s listed as number one on IMDB and there are so many good reasons why. Honestly, there isn’t a time that if I see that this movie is on television I go past it. This year is the 30th anniversary since its release, so Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’ and join fans from August 9 through the 11th to celebrate this incredible movie. Taking place in Mansfield, Ohio, you will see tours, cast members, events, and filming sites along the Shawshank Trail. You will also get to go into the jail where Andy met Red. Details on the event are still being released, but this one will sell out really fast, so follow Shawshank30.com and “The Shawshank Trail” on social platforms for more information.
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival
Also in August is the don’t-miss Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown, New York, where the queen of comedy was born and raised. I went to this a few years back and I can still guarantee that it’s worth the trip whether you love Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy or just comedy. There will be comedy late night, family variety shows, comedy trivia, The Ricardo and Mertzes Show, historic Jamestown tours, block parties, Tropicana events, and much more. Also, do not miss the National Comedy Museum and the Lucy Desi Museum tours! As a die-hard I Love Lucy fan (I have an I Love Lucy tattoo!) I can assure you I had an absolute blast going to this and you will too.
Gilmore Girls
If you have been obsessed with Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter, Rory, then you need to attend the Gilmore Girls Festival now called The Firelight Event in Guilford, Connecticut (otherwise known as Stars Hollow), which will be held October 18 through the 20th. If you’re reading this before the summer of 2024, then you should know the itinerary hasn’t come out yet, but most of the guests have already been mentioned and include: Devon Michaels; Gregg Henry; Kathleen Wilhoite; Emily Kuroda; Katie Walder; Nick Holmes; Aris Alvarado; Valerie Campbell (costumer); Stan Zimmerman (writer).
Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie ran for 9 years and now celebrates its 50th anniversary. Here is the current updated list of fan events that will be produced by Gravel Road Markets, LLC, in 2024, but check the LHOTP Facebook page for more information.
Keystone, SD: Keystone Community Center, July 26 – 29
Hartford, CT: The Connecticut Convention Center, August 30 – September 1
Lancaster, PA: Farm and Home Center, September 3
Lancaster, PA: The Bright Side Opportunities Center, September 4
Lyles, TN – Johnny Cash’s Hideaway Farm, September 14 – 15
Branson, MO: Branson Convention Center, November 15 – 17
Laura Ingalls Wilder Days
Speaking of Little House on the Prairie, the author Laura Ingalls Wilder gets her own days to celebrate who she is and what she has accomplished. Laura Ingalls Wilder Days are held on September 14 and 15 in Pepin, Wisconsin.
Dean Martin
If the King of Cool is the music you turn to, then head out to Steubenville, Ohio for The Spot Bar’s 2024 Dean Martin Festival. This annual event is held on June 13, 14, and 15, there will be a karaoke contest with D.J. Paulie Walnuts and more. It’s free admission! The Fort Steuben Concert Series will present Dean Martin-themed performances by Bob Morelli, the Vince Villanova Big Band, and a Rat Pack Tribute show.
Other events offered include opening the Dean Martin Room at the Jefferson County Historical Museum on Saturday from 11-4. Earlier on Saturday morning, runners & walkers can participate in the Dino Dash 5K in the beautiful Beatty Park with music (Nail City Brass Band, 8:30-10:30 a.m.), refreshments for all, and information canopies for Dean Martin Association, Friends of Beatty Park and Jefferson County Genealogy Society. The Steubenville Visitor Center will offer Dino’s Downtown Trolley Rides from 11-4 on Saturday highlighting the significant sites and many of the City of Murals artworks.
Throughout Saturday, the Visitor Center will host a display of Dean Martin memorabilia and run a video of clips from Martin’s movies and television show where he mentions his hometown: “Sweet Memories of Steubenville.” The Steubenville Art Association will have a show and sale of original work related to the day.
For more information on these and other attractions in Steubenville, contact the Steubenville Visitor Center at 740-283-4935 or go to www.VisitSteubenville.com.
Blobfest
I feel like I just wrote about Blobfest and now I’m here to tell you about the event’s 25th anniversary! Every July, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania celebrates the movie with its annual Blobfest and this year it’s a whole new level of fun! There’s the Blob Ball, a Street Fair, film contests, face decorating contests, and the 7th annual Blobfest 5K, 10K and half marathon and so much more. Check out https://thecolonialtheatre.com/blobfest/ for more information!
Bramble Fest
Do you love Hallmark Christmas movies? Do you want to watch them year-round? Do you want to talk to other people who love Hallmark (and other) Christmas movies and want to watch them year-round? Then you need to check out the Deck the Hallmark podcast with Bran, Dan and Brian. They also have an annual event called Bramble Fest where fans of the podcast and Hallmark (and other) Christmas movies get together in Greenville, South Carolina. This year the event will take place on July 19 and 20th. I’m giving them a shoutout because their podcast is one of my favorites to relax and laugh. It’s a great fest for Hallmark (and other) Christmas movie fans. Plus these guys are a hoot. Check out their site and podcast, then join their secret Deckies Facebook group and go to the fest (non-Deckies can go too!).
Red Skelton
Let’s not forget about the comedians who paved the way for the comedians of today. Legendary Red Skeleton is celebrated in his hometown of Vincennes, Indiana with a comedy fest July 18 – 20th. For a list of events visit https://www.redskeltonmuseum.org/events/red-skelton-festival. And don’t forget to visit the museum while you’re there!
Forever Twilight
It doesn’t matter what team you’re on, the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival celebrates the movie and all of its fans of this incredibly popular movie franchise. This year, they are honoring the 15th Anniversary of the theatrical release of New Moon with immersive events, parties, special guests, and cast members who bring the characters to life!
The event will take place in Forks, Washington from September 12-15, 2024. Forks, Wash., is the place where Stephenie Meyer’s movie “Twilight” came to be. Fans can hang out with Saga actors and get to know the characters. Official FTF Cast Members portray the Cullen Coven, Jacob Black, the Volturi, and others featured in the story. There are themed parties, and activities at the Forks High School, including a panel discussion with the Saga actors, movie showings, and much more. The event is like a fandom family reunion where attendees get to hang with their long-distance besties and Twi-family! Visit https://forkswa.com/twilight/festival/ for more information.
Andy Griffith Show
Okay, who didn’t want an Aunt Bee in their life? Mayberry Days® is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for the fans who long for the days when life was simple and the sheriff didn’t carry a gun. This year, Mayberry Days takes place from September 23 – 29, at or around the Andy Griffith Playhouse, in the Historic Earle Theatre, in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre (below the museum), at the Blackmon Amphitheatre, and inside the new Arts Center unless otherwise noted in the schedule. The Andy Griffith Museum is open 7 days a week and the Surry Arts Council has events going on throughout the year, so there are plenty of reasons to return.
Rex Allen Days
Don’t know who Rex Allen was? You might recognize his voice as the narrator in many Disney nature and Western film productions, but he was an actor and singer too. Rex Allen Days in Willcox, Arizona will be held October 4th through October 6th and include a parade, carnival, rodeo, live music, gun shows, car shows, wine tasting, and more.
Somewhere in Time
Somewhere in Time is AMAZING. My daughter’s name is Nicole Elise, and her middle name came from Jane Seymour’s character Elise (when I interviewed Jane I got the chance to tell her this and she was so moved). The movie was filmed at the Grand Hotel on Michigan’s Mackinac Island and every year they host a very popular Somewhere in Time Weekend. This year it’s from Friday, October 25th to Sunday, October 27th. The site says you can come in costume for the cocktail receptions and costume promenade. Breakfast and dinner are also included daily, and guests may also enjoy dining in elegant costumes in our Main Dining Room. For more information, click here.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Do I dare say that before you know it the holidays will be here (I’m typing this in May and it got here fast!)? When you think about the holidays, certain iconic movies come to mind. For many of you, It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic to watch on a loop, or at least once. Did you know there’s a festival at the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum in Seneca Falls, New York? Did you even know that there’s a It’s a Wonderful Life Museum? Now you know both. The festival will take place on December 13, 14 and 15. The guests and itinerary will be posted in June, but you should book your hotel soon. You should book hotels for all of these movie and TV festivals as early as possible!
