
Photo courtesy of Mansfield Tourism
The Shawshank Redemption and ballroom dancing might not seem like they go together, but they will on Saturday at the first annual Shawshank Ball.
The ball will take place Saturday, Aug. 29 in the Central Guard Room at the Ohio State Reformatory, where the critically-acclaimed 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption was filmed.
Guests of the ball will enjoy a mid-20th century atmosphere in line with that of the film, complete with tours of the Reformatory, live jazz music, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a vintage car show. The fee to enter a car in the vintage car show is five dollars, and judges will award Best In Show and Judge's Choice awards before the start of the ball.
If you come to the ball dressed in period clothing, you have a chance to win a prize for the
best 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, or The Shawshank Redemption-inspired costume.
The vintage car show will begin at 3 p.m., and the ball will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, and attendance is limited to 200 guests. All proceeds from the event will go to the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society's ongoing Reformatory restoration efforts.
The Ohio State Reformatory, previously a state prison, is now a historic sight offering tours and overnight Ghost Hunts April 1.-Sept. 1, and a Haunted Prison Experience during the Halloween season. It is located in Mansfield, just over an hour's drive from Columbus. Hotels are available in the Mansfield area.