The long-anticipated Shawshank 25th Anniversary Celebration kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday (August 16-18, 2019). This weekend, fans, celebrities, and media are putting the local filming sites in the spotlight - even local businesses are getting creative with ways to make this event a county-wide celebration.
“We would like to say Thank You to those businesses that have gotten in the spirit of the anniversary by creating meals, displays, hanging banners, and even new flavors of fudge”, stated Lee Tasseff, President of Destination Mansfield-Richland County. “We appreciate their initiative to make the weekend more special for the fans.” Examples include, but are not limited to the following…
Featured Eats
Just for fans of the Shawshank Redemption, The Chill Ice Cream Parlor has created two special sundaes to mark the occasion: the "Rock Hammer" and the "Red Reese's Redemption" sundaes. The first frozen treat is a play on rocky road. The “Rock Hammer” Sundae has Toft’s Caveman Chocolate ice cream topped with marshmallow, pecan pieces, and mini marshmallows. The “Red Reese’s Redemption” Sundae was created with Shawshank Actor, Morgan Freeman’s favorite candy in mind. This Reese’s lover’s dessert is made with soft serve vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, Reese’s peanut butter sauce, Reese’s cups, Reese’s Pieces, and whipped cream.
Doc's Deli got in the Shawshank spirit and has created a signature sandwich for the event. “The Caged Bird” sandwich is made with smoked turkey and spinach on pretzel bread and is topped with cream cheese, pecans, and apricot chipotle mustard.
Shawshank fans will be able to enjoy a special brew from The Phoenix Brewing Co. during the Shawshank 25th Anniversary: “Rock Hammer Session IPA.” This medium-bodied beer contains a complex blend of grains and 4 different hops that make for a bold hop aroma and flavor. It’s still light enough to enjoy while tunneling through stone walls or while mowing your lawn.
Deluxe Catering and Events will be serving a Shawshank dinner special on federal prison issue correctional food trays and will have a special menu to mark the event. This special includes Stroh’s bohemian-style beer, a kobe beef, wellington style meatloaf with a shiitake stroganoff bordelaise, garlic gouda mashed potatoes, polenta grits, local sweet corn on the cob, and chocolate cake.
Malabar Farm State Park has created two special treats for fans to enjoy during the anniversary or to take home. The first is a salted caramel toffee crunch “Prison Yard” fudge. The second is a gift bag with all the elements to make “Malabar’s Shawshank Rooftop Ginger Beer,” along with a souvenir Malabar jar shot glass!
Local Events
Stop by Fox Winery in Galion, Ohio August 16 and 17 to try their limited edition Shawshank wine: “Hopeful Hooch.” There will also be Shawshank Trivia and a viewing of the movie.
Signature Souvenirs New to the Shawshank Trail, fans can now purchase Shawshank soap from Planktown Hardware & More. These custom soaps include the scents “Midnight Escape” and “A Bar of Soap.” Shawshank t-shirts and totes are also available at Planktown Hardware and More.
Window Displays
Fans will also be able to see a special Shawshank prison cell window display in the shopfront of Tara’s Floral Expressions. The front windows of Carrousel Antiques were used as the pawn shop window in the film, so to commemorate the anniversary, they’ve created a pawn shop themed window display.
Many businesses and restaurants in the area have Shawshank souvenirs and menu items available year-round. Visit ShawshankTtrail.com/products/ for a full list.
Get busy living and join Shawshank fans from around the world. For a full schedule of this weekend’s events, visit ShawshankTrail.com. Make sure to share photos of your Shawshank 25 experience with Destination Mansfield – Richland County by tagging them with #Shawshank25.