By Jeff Gard/Northumberland 89.7

Port Hope is gearing up for more filming, which a release from the municipality states is for the production Greetings from Fairview.

Speculation, though, is the town is being transformed again into Derry, Maine for Welcome to Derry, the HBO Max prequel series to the modern IT films that also had scenes filmed in Port Hope. IMDB states Welcome to Derry “will follow the events in the 1960s, the time leading up to the events of the first film."

In fact, Jim’s Pizza on Walton Street has been transformed on the exterior as part of the Chinese restaurant Jade of the Orient featured in the IT films and novel by Stephen King. 

According to reports, production for Welcome to Derry began last week in Toronto. A Hollywood North Buzz story from February also stated Welcome to Derry would begin filming in Toronto in May and that the working title was Fairview.

Lorraine Bulger, film liaison for the Municipality of Port Hope, remained steadfast though in telling Northumberland 89.7 that “the filming title is Greetings from Fairview,” adding “the project itself is set in the 1960s so that’s what a lot of the set dressing that people will see in the downtown, that’s what’s happening. The storefronts and some of the municipal locations like Memorial Park and Rotary Park are being set-dressed to reflect 1960s.”

Residents can expect temporary parking impacts, road closures and intermittent traffic stops that may cause delays until the end of the month. Pedestrian traffic and storefront access will be maintained. 

Bulger said patience and understanding from residents would be appreciated while crews are filming.

“Their main concern is not having something modern in the background,” she remarked. “The idea is once they’ve actually filmed a particular scene that they’re doing, they’re going to open up as much as they can as far as the parking and the roads and just sort of move around with each scene. They’re trying to be as accommodating as they can be and we’re hoping merchants, staff, customers, everybody that has to come into the downtown will hopefully be as accommodating and patient as they can be as well.”

Bulger added “this HBO series has nine episodes so they will be returning at different times throughout the year. They have sort of established Port Hope as their location for visual continuity.”

Below is the information released by the Municipality of Port Hope:

Current to Tuesday, May 23

• Residents can expect to see prep work and set dressing taking place throughout the Downtown and at some private residences.

• Pedestrians can expect minor sidewalk delays and an increased presence of film crew members.

• Construction is occurring in Lent Lane until May 12. Access to Lent Lane remains open, however access from Lent Lane to Walton Street is limited.

Wednesday May 17 to Friday, May 19

• Film crews will be onsite at 5 Mill Street South completing landscape work.

• Residents can expect the east lane to be blocked (with flag personnel onsite) and potentially pedestrian delays.

Wednesday, May 24

Streets affected:

• Walton Street (From Mill Street South to Brown Street)

• Queen Street (From Augusta Street to Walton Street)

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Intermitted traffic stops: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Full road closures: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All times subject to change

Thursday, May 25

Streets affected:

• Walton Street (From Mill Street South to Ontario Street)

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Intermitted traffic stops: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Full road closures: none

• Bramley Street South

• Filming on a private property will occur from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

• Lighting and noise will impact in this area – All affected residents will be notified.

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

• Intermitted traffic stops: 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

All times subject to change

Friday, May 26

Streets affected:

• Walton Street (from Mill Street South to Brown Street)

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Full road closures: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Queen Street (from Robertson Street to Walton Street)

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Full road closures: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Mill Street South (from Robertson Street to Walton Street)
  Robertson Street (from Mill Street South to John Street)
  Augusta Street (from Elias Street to Queen Street)

• Intermittent pedestrian delays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Intermitted traffic stops: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Full road closures: none

All times subject to change

Parking impacts:

Residents are advised that parking will be extremely limited in the Downtown core from May 24 to May 26 and May 29 and 30. The production company will be occupying both Elias Street parking lots, Lakeland parking lot, and some metered street parking spots. The remainder of the street parking spots are available and free to use courtesy of the production company.

Note that the Elias Street parking lots will be used to assist the Capitol Theatre patrons during the performances scheduled on film days (May 24 and May 25).

Transit impacts:

Transit service will avoid the filming locations from Wednesday, May 24 to Friday, May 26. The re-routes are:

• Route A: Depart Town Hall and proceed west on Augusta Street, north on Pine Street, West on Walton Street and continue standard route (same route upon return).

• Route B: Depart Town Hall and proceed north on Mill Street South (By-pass stop B2, B3 and B4) and continue standard route north on Ontario Street (same route upon return).

Additional information and reminders:

• Memorial Park will be set dressed on May 23 and 24, the park will remain prepped over the weekend (May 27 and 28) with security in place. Filming in Memorial Park is scheduled for May 26 and 29. The playground will remain open for use.

• An American flag will be temporarily installed at 5 Mill Street South.

• All above times are subject to change. Residents and visitors will be made aware of major changes as they occur.

• A reminder to residents that the Farmers Market is on Saturday, May 27. All vehicles in the Town Hall parking lot Saturday morning will be removed.

• Filming events are interesting and exciting for many, but please do not impede the work being completed.

• The Mary J. Benson Branch of the Port Hope Public Library will remain open at its usual operating hours during the filming.

Please note: There will be additional filming on May 29 and 30. Details and permits for these dates have not yet been confirmed. The public will be notified of impacts when the schedule is finalized.