#Throwback Thursday: ‘The Goonies,’ Set in PNW, Celebrates 30 Years

Astoria will host a June event with quote-a-long film screenings, a scavenger hunt and more

By Sara Jones January 21, 2015

Never say die! When The Goonies—the cult favorite 1985 film set in Astoria, Oregon—turned 25 in 2010, mayor Willis Van Dusen declared that June 7 (the film’s original release date) would officially be Goonies Day in Astoria from thenceforth. As the film toasts to 30 years this summer, the seaside city is pulling out all the stops for festivities this June 4 to 7, which will warrant a three-hour road trip south for diehards—and perhaps for anyone raised in the ‘80s.

Filmed at various locations across the Oregon Coast, The Goonies is a coming-of-age story that follows a band of kids seeking treasure (via a map of one “One-Eyed” Willy’s fortune) in order to save their neighborhood from developers threatening to replace it with a golf course.

In addition to quote-a-long screenings of the movie, the four-day Astoria anniversary event will include cast and crew reunions (they hope), a scavenger hunt and tours of iconic film locales including “Chunk’s” Bowling Alley (where, in the movie, Chunk watches the Fratellis’ truck chased by police cars, smears his pizza on the window and splatters his milkshake on his face). Fort George Brewery will also offer a Truffle Shuffle Stout on tap for a limited time, and the VirtualLUG builders group (all self-professed Adult Fans of LEGO–AFOLs) will display their toy renderings of beloved Goonies scenes. Finally, to evoke One-Eyed Willy’s treasure-stocked ship in the film, local ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftan will offer tours and sails in Astoria throughout the festive weekend.

In Astoria, they are most excited about the fans, according to Regina Willkie, marketing director for the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. “The excitement that oozes from these visitors once they are here at the “Goondocks” . . . is contagious.” She says that deep connections and even marriages sparked from Astoria’s first Goonies event in 2005, and “the sense of friendship, adventure and belief that everyone can do amazing things if they put their mind to it (never say die!) really resonates” there.

The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce plans to begin ticket sales (weekend passes as well as individual tickets to events) March 1. Find the complete event rundown here, and pick up official memorabilia (T-shirts, hats, glassware, collectibles and more) on site that weekend. TravelAstoria.com has Goonies-specific itineraries available.