New Jersey is Home to Friday the 13th!
This Friday, January 13th, is FRIDAY the 13th! What better way to spend Friday the 13th than in New Jersey!
Did you know? The original Friday the 13th was filmed in Blairstown, NJ, Hope, NJ, and Camp NoBeBoSco in Hardwick Township, NJ.
Blairstown embraces the fact that the famous film was shot in town. Roy’s Hall on Main Street is screening the film on Friday, January 13th for horror buffs to enjoy. (PS: I already have tickets)
In case you’re unfamiliar, the original Friday the 13th movie from 1980 is a slasher film that tells the story of a group of teenagers who are murdered one by one while attempting to re-open an abandoned campground, Camp Crystal Lake. It also starred a young Kevin Bacon. It sets up a massive film franchise of psycho murdered and mask wearer, Jason Voorhees (although his mother is the murderer), scaring teenagers from having sex otherwise they’ll be murdered.
Located in Warren County, Blairstown, NJ is a historic district with a great downtown area. The small town setting was the perfect location for the events on the film to unfold,. The first shot of the movie shows the main character, Annie crossing, a small bridge as she walks into town.
Although locations in town (including the bridge) have been updated in the last 36 years, Blairstown will look very recognizable to fans of the film.
Every Friday the 13th I want to go to the the Blairstown Diner, but the timing never works out! Located on Route 94, this is the diner that Steve spends the evening while his friends are being murdered.
Camp NoBeBoSco aka Camp Crystal Lake was the main filming location, and many of the structures are still the same. The camp hosted it’s first official Friday the 13th tour on Friday, May 13th, 2011 to great success.
The camp has operated continuously since the summer of 1927. If they plan to host future tours, information can be found HERE. Unfortunately they will not be hosting a tour for this coming Friday the 13th due to the cold. However, they do sell souvenirs on their website.
I for one am proud to have this movie as part of New Jersey’s pop culture history.
Enjoy your Friday the 13th, New Jersey! If you’re a fan of the original movie, then a trip to Blairstown, NJ should definitely be on your bucket list!
