Fans of horror movies and all things spooky flocked to Warren County this Friday the 13th, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the movie “Friday the 13th.”
The original “Friday the 13th" movie was mostly filmed in Blairstown, and the town embraces its horror movie legacy each Friday the 13th. Fans come from all over the United States to see the locations where the movie was filmed and to meet some stars.
Actors Ari Lehman and CJ Graham both played “Friday the 13th” villain Jason Voorhees. Lehman played the character as a child in the original film.
“I played the boy in the lake. And I had the honor of being the very first Jason Voorhees. I was 14 years old when I did that,” he says.
Graham took over the role in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.” This was his first trip to Blairstown to meet fans.
“The fans, the legion of Jason fans is just tremendous,” he says. “Worldwide.”
The Blairstown Diner, a filming location, is another favorite spot for fans. An image of Jason Voorhees looms large in the dining room.
Tom McGlaughlin wrote and directed “Jason Lives,” and came from California to sign autographs.
“We didn't get any sense that there would be any longevity with this series. We were doing them in the ‘80s and it was fun and it was being forgotten as soon as you'd seen it,” he says.
Blairstown is also home to the Blairstown Museum, which hosts various ghost tours and other spooky attractions.