Calling all popcorn lovers! Mark your calendars, and be sure to pop on over to Valparaiso for the annual Popcorn Festival held each September. Recently celebrating its 45th year, the festival was originally started as a way to celebrate local popcorn legend Orville Redenbacher. While sponsors have changed over the years, one thing remains the same, the Popcorn Festival is a family-friendly way to enjoy a favorite snack loved by so many generations.
The event kicks off bright and early (just after 7:00 am) with the Popcorn Panic races, which include a 5-mile race through the city and the Lit’l Kernel Puff run for kids. Rain or shine, locals and visitors fill the streets of Valparaiso for this yearly tradition.
Festivities continue mid-morning with the start of the Popcorn Parade. The parade route travels through downtown on Lincolnway—the main street—and stretches for just over a mile. Highlights include local marching bands, costumed characters, and, of course, the colorful floats created incorporating popcorn as one of the materials used in the design.
Throughout the day, you can browse over 300 vendor booths featuring good eats, local artists, crafts, and popcorn products of all kinds. Many of the downtown eateries and small businesses are also open during the festival, making dining and shopping options abundant. Local bakeries, breweries and restaurants are known to offer special popcorn-themed treats throughout the weekend. Plus, be on the lookout for the event’s free popcorn booth, usually on the lawn outside the courthouse. With the smell of so many tasty foods in the air, good luck deciding what to eat!
Central Park Plaza is popping with excitement with everything from live music performances on the amphitheater stage, a beer garden with local brews, and a statue of Orville Redenbacher that’s just waiting for a photo with you.
Kids can enjoy the nearby Ultimate Poppin’ Play Zone, an area featuring carnival style rides, inflatables and games. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the play zone entrance.
With so much activity and enthusiasm, it’s easy to see why the Popcorn Festival has been a region favorite for over four decades. You can’t go wrong with fresh popcorn served with a bit of small-town charm!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: It’s estimated that over 40,000 people (and counting) attend the Popcorn Festival each year. Many of the roads leading into, and surrounding downtown, are blocked to vehicle traffic. There are several parking lots near downtown that offer paid parking options, many of them are local establishments which fundraise by offering parking in their lot during the festival. The city usually offers shuttle service (for a fee) as well as a designated handicapped parking lot. If parking on city streets, please be mindful of parking signs, driveways, and mailboxes. Bicycles and skateboards are not allowed downtown during the event, however bike parking is typically offered close by. Pets are not allowed to attend Popcorn Festival. For the most current information about parking, rules, event schedule, and more, please visit the Valparaiso Events website.
