To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tommy Boy, downtown Sandusky is throwing a weekend-long party in honor of Ohio’s most iconic fictional auto parts empire.
From August 7–9, the lakeside city that served as the hometown of the fictional Callahan Auto Parts in the 1995 film will host Tommy Boy Fest, complete with outdoor screenings, live music, a classic car show, a “Tommy Want Wingy” wing-eating competition, and a “sights not seen in the movie” scavenger hunt. Director Peter Segal will also be on hand for a special Q&A session—alongside the actual ‘67 Plymouth Belvedere GTX from the film, now a piece of cult comedy history.
Tommy Boy, starring Chris Farley and David Spade, wasn’t exactly a critical darling when it first hit theaters, but its underdog charm, quotable script, and Farley’s physical comedy helped it grow into a beloved cult classic. Though the movie was filmed mostly in Toronto, it’s set in Sandusky, Ohio—chosen for its small-town, Rust Belt character and symbolic ties to American manufacturing.
The movie follows the bumbling but lovable Tommy Callahan as he tries to save his late father’s auto parts business, winning over both skeptical customers and reluctant coworkers along the way. It grossed about $32 million on a $20 million budget and went on to become a home video staple for a generation of comedy fans.
The festival kicks off with a concert at Jackson Street Pier on Thursday night and continues through the weekend with events spread across downtown. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the chicken wings, or just looking for a good reason to visit Sandusky in August, there’s something on the schedule for every kind of fan.
To learn more about the festival, you can head over to the City of Sandusky website.
