ASHLAND — Claire Slemmer sat at a table outside a giant vault at Crosby Advisory Group Friday afternoon. She handed out headshots of herself and signed “The Shawshank Redemption” t-shirts and posters.
Slemmer, who played a teller in one of the film’s final scenes, returned to Ashland and Mansfield this weekend to celebrate the iconic film’s 30th anniversary.
She took time to meet with movie fans at Crosby Advisory Group, located in downtown Ashland. The location was used in the filming of the movie 30 years ago.
Several other events to commemorate the film are ongoing in the area throughout the weekend.
Slemmer will return to Crosby Advisory Group again Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to sign more autographs.
Ashland Main Street also has a scavenger hunt going this weekend, and on Saturday, the Ashland Theatre is playing the film for free.
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For Nate Crosby, the owner of Crosby Advisory Group, Slemmer’s presence is meaningful.
“It’s very special that she’d take the time to enhance the experience of people coming,” Crosby said. “She’s very unselfish.”
Coming from all over
Slemmer’s return to Crosby Advisory Group drew a line of fans, some of whom came from out-of-state. Arica Ross and Loretta Tracy came down from the “thumb” of Michigan.
Ross, who hails from Marlette, said this weekend marked her fourth trip to the area to see where filming for “The Shawshank Redemption” took place.
The movie came out the year Ross graduated, she said. The story resonated with her. She said she enjoyed seeing the Ohio State Reformatory, and feels they always have something new to see there.
This trip, she was excited about the museum and seeing the hammer Andy Dufrense used to tunnel out of prison.
Plus, Ross and Tracy said one of the film’s quotes has helped them through difficult times: “Get busy living or get busy dying.”
The duo said when they’ve gone through tough situations, they’ve returned to the quote, which hails from the film.
Crosby said over the years, people have visited from all over the world to see the filming location.
He takes pride in Crosby Advisory Group for making its facility open for people to relive the film.
The 30th anniversary and the visitors it’s drawn to the area, he said, offers another chance to honor the film’s legacy.
“It’s a testament to the impact this movie has had on the nation,” Crosby said.
Below are photos of Slemmer interacting with fans.
