MANSFIELD, Ohio — Fans of the No. 1 movie of all time, “The Shawshank Redemption,” are invited to travel back in time at the first-ever Shawshank Ball.
Taking place in the Central Guard Room at the Ohio State Reformatory, which starred in the movie as the Shawshank Prison, the Ball is slated for 6 p.m., Aug. 29. Shawshank fans and history buffs are invited to help recreate the 1940s-1960s, the time period in which the critically acclaimed movie took place.
The inaugural event will feature reformatory tours, live jazz, retro cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a vintage car show.
Guests are invited to dress in period costumes, with prizes awarded for the best ’40s-, ’50s-, ’60s- and Shawshank Redemption-inspired attire.
Tickets are $50 per person and the quantity is limited to just 200 attendees. All proceeds benefit ongoing reformatory restorations through the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society. Tickets and additional information are available at MRPS.org.
A host of incredibly affordable hotels and B&Bs are just a few minutes’ drive from the reformatory, offering travelers an unforgettable weekend getaway.
The vintage car show begins at 3 p.m., with period automobiles lining the reformatory grounds. Car show judges will award Best-in-Show and Judge’s Choice awards prior to the ball. A $5 per-car entry fee will also benefit Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society.
Filmed in Mansfield in 1994, “The Shawshank Redemption” has received widespread critical acclaim and is consistently voted the No. 1 movie of all time by IMDB users.
The Ohio State Reformatory, a former state prison, is now a restored architecturally and culturally significant historic site open April 1-Sept. 1 for public tours and overnight Ghost Hunts. The prison also hosts a Haunted Prison Experience every Halloween season.
A destination unlike any other, Mansfield is home to a wealth of unusual travel adventures and experiences, such as visiting the working farm where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Mohican State Park, breathtaking scenery, rural and hometown experiences. Hiking, biking, golf, cross-country and downhill skiing, bird watching and loads of other outdoor adventures attract travelers of all ages. Complete visitor information is available at MansfieldTourism.com or (800) 642-8282.
