Mansfield prepares to celebrate 30 years of 'The Shawshank Redemption'

Sometimes the best movies leave an indelible impression on popular culture.

When Andy Dufrense (Tim Robbins) uttered the line: “I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living or get busy dying” in “The Shawshank Redemption” some 30 years ago, it joined the list of films to do so.

However, more importantly, the filming of Frank Darabont’s Oscar-nominated classic at the Mansfield Reformatory in central Ohio has forever linked that film to that community.

More: Get busy dying or get busy visiting Mansfield for Shawshank Redemption reunion

It’s a link that will be celebrated the weekend of Aug. 9-11.

'Shawshank Redemption' was filmed at The Mansfield Reformatory

The Mansfield Reformatory served as the forced home of Andy Dufresne and his friend, Red (Morgan Freeman Jr.), but Darabont highlighted central Ohio, filming in 15 locations in the region, including Ashland, Butler, Malabar Farm State Park in Lucas, the Wyandot County Courthouse, Bellville, Upper Sandusky, Shelby and various other sites throughout Mansfield.

But it’s the reformatory that has benefited most from the accolades that came after the film, based on a Stephen King novella and is currently ranked as the No. 1 fan-favorite film on IMDB.com, released. The movie is responsible for a cottage industry that has a multi-million-dollar economic impact on the Mansfield area.

That influence will come into play once again when the community comes together Aug. 9-11 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.

Three-day celebration includes tours, 'Shawshank' cast panels

All of that will culminate in a three-day celebration that features cast members, the opportunity to tour the reformatory, which offers guided and self-guided experiences and other filming sites and screenings of the film. Some events are already sold out. Check here for planning.

Among the celebrities appearing: director Frank Darabont; Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz will moderate; Bob Gunton (Warden Norton); William Sandler (Heywood); Clancy Brown (Capt. Hadley); Gil Bellows (Tommy Williams), Mark Rolson (Bogs Diamond) and others. Some panels are sold out. Check the schedule for availability.

George M. Thomas writes about sports and pop culture for the Beacon Journal.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How Mansfield will celebrate 30 years of 'The Shawshank Redemption'