‘Goonies’ fanatics expected to throng Astoria for reunion
Published 4:00 pm Monday, March 14, 2005
Calling all Goonies!Astoria is hosting a 20th anniversary reunion for fans of the popular 1985 adventure film June 3 through 5.
Organized by the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, “Goonies Never Say Die Anniversary Celebration” features movie screenings, a lecture, trivia games and tours to some of the many local sites made famous by the exploits of Mikey, Chunk and Data.
The movie, which follows the exploits of a group of young adventurers who set off in pursuit of a legendary pirate treasure, has gained cult status over the years among fans who saw it as youngsters as well as with new viewers. It’s also made Astoria, which is featured prominently in the film, a destination for hundreds of Goonies fans each year – after the Astoria Column, the “Goonies House” featured in the film generates the most questions from visitors, according to the chamber of commerce.
The anniversary celebration will include bus tours of nine landmarks from the film, including the old Clatsop County Jail, Ecola State Park and of course the Goonies House in east Astoria. There will also be multiple showings of the film at the Columbian Theater, and two performances of “Growing Up Goonies,” a multi-media presentation by Jeff Cohen, the actor who portrayed “Chunk,” that includes film outtakes, a lecture and trivia game, an autograph session and a “Truffle Shuffle Dance” contest. Cohen will also speak about the film’s other cast members and the upcoming sequel, “Goonies 2.”
News of the reunion comes as the Hollywood spotlight hits the region this week with the release of “The Ring 2,” the horror movie filmed at numerous locations in and around Astoria last year. The film, a sequel to the popular 2002 thriller starring Naomi Watts, opens around the country Friday.