F3PR: The Shawshank Redemption 20th anniversary marked by events, tours

PRESS RELEASE

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
20^th ANNIVERSARY
MARKED BY EVENTS, TOURS

Travel packages start at less than $129 for two

MANSFIELD, OH USA – This Labor Day Weekend, the 20^th Anniversary of the release of the most popular movie of all time is being celebrated by a weekend packed with special events, location tours and an overnight package designed for travelers. Filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, The Shawshank Redemption has received widespread critical acclaim and is consistently voted the #1 movie of all time by IMDB users. Complete Shawshank Anniversary details, travel package information, event tickets and souvenir sites are available at www.shawshank20.com.

Mansfield's historic Ohio State Reformatory, a former state prison, starred in the movie as Shawshank State Prison. The prison is now a restored architecturally and culturally significant historic site open for public tours and overnight Ghost Hunts April 1-Sept. 1. The prison also hosts a haunted prison experience every fall (Sept. 26- Nov. 1 in 2014).

More than a dozen other authentic filming locations welcome visitors to the central Ohio area. During the Shawshank 20^th Anniversary celebration, Aug. 29-31, each will offer special events and tours throughout the weekend. In addition, locations all around the area will feature various unique Shawshank Anniversary souvenirs, including 20th anniversary commemorative T-shirts. The 13 filming sites along Mansfield's Shawshank Trail include:

• Ohio State Reformatory (Shawshank State Prison)
• Bissman Building (Brewer Hotel and Portland Daily Bugle)
• Renaissance Theatre (Premier of Shawshank Redemption)
• The Shawshank Oak Tree
• Pugh Cabin at Malabar Farm (Opening scene)
• Crosby Advisory Group LLC (Maine National Bank)
• Revivals 2 Thrift Store (Trailways Bus Station)
• Wyandot County Courthouse (Andy's Trial)
• Shawshank Woodshop (Prison Workshop)
• Carrousel Antiques (Pawn Shop Window)
• Snyder & Hagerman Roads in Bellville, OH (Road to Buxton)
• Red's Bus Ride on Rt. 95 in Bellville, OH (Bus to Fort Hancock, TX)
• Brooks' Bench (Waiting for Jake)

Shawshank Anniversary package offered

For just $128.66 (including tax) for a double or king room or $139.96 for a suite, a one-night getaway package can be reserved through Quality Inn & Suites, (419) 529-1000. The package is based on two guests ($14 for each additional guest) and includes:

• One night's accommodations at Quality Inn & Suites Mansfield
• Hot deluxe breakfast for two
• Two tickets to Ohio State Reformatory where the Shawshank Redemption was filmed
• One Shawshank T-Shirt
• Two Prison chocolate bars crafted by local confectionary, The Squirrel's Den
• Two Prison Break Sodas locally bottled by Richland Carrousel
• Locally roasted and ground Jailhouse Java Coffee from The Blueberry Patch
• 15%-off of all Reformatory Gift Shop Purchases

In addition to tours of the Shawshank Trail sites and the travel package, the following special events are also being offered:

Friday-Sunday, Aug. 29-31:
2-3 p.m., Malabar Farm Hostel, Mark Jordan shares intriguing tales from the set of what it was like being an extra in the film. (Free)

Friday-Saturday, Aug. 29-30:
Exclusive two-day bus tour (only 100 seats available) takes participants to each of the 13 actual Shawshank Redemption filming locations ($139)

Friday, Aug. 29:
9 a.m., Ashland University Film Lecture, featuring University of Vermont Professor and Stephen King Scholar and Research Assistant Tony Magistrale on Redemption through Shawshank. (Free)
1-3 p.m., Pugh Cabin, site of the film's opening scene, Actor Scott Mann (played Linda Dufresne's lover) will sign autographs (Free)
7 p.m., View the film at the beautifully restored historic Renaissance Theater, where the film first premiered in 1994 ($10)

Saturday, Aug. 30:
10 a.m.-Noon, Pugh Cabin, site of the film's opening scene, Actor Scott Mann (played Linda Dufresne's lover) will sign autographs (Free)
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Jim Kisicki (played bank manager) signing autographs at Crosby Advisory Group, LLC, Ashland, (portrayed in the film as Maine National Bank) (Free)
7:30 p.m., Cocktail party, Ohio State Reformatory (Shawshank State Prison), 1940s-50s evening attire suggested but not required, live jazz band, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and reformatory tours ($50)

Sunday, Aug. 31:
8:30 a.m. Church at Shawshank, a 30-minute film, scripture and dialogue journey toward spiritual freedom led by life coach, author and minister Kary Oberbrunner ($7)

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 to spending the night in a haunted former state prison where Hollywood blockbuster movies are filmed. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Mohican State Park, breathtaking scenery, rural and hometown experiences, as well as 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 www.MansfieldTourism.com or (800) 642-8282.

The Movie Report wants to attend all your film special events! Please send any and all invitations to this address. Thanks!