The 38th Annual Valparaiso Popcorn Festival is a wrap, and we were there to catch a bunch of action from the day. Word on the street is that everyone had a great time and while you were busy running in the races, walking in the parade, or just having a good time, we were out finding some cool stories and taking a bunch of photos from the day (and the week leading up).
To see all the photos we've taken over the years, click here.
The 2016 Cutest Baby Contest Showcases Valpo's Cutest Citizens
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During the week of Valparaiso’s annual Popcorn Festival, the smallest competition in town takes place at the Urschel E. Pavilion - the Cutest Baby Contest. Nearly one-hundred babies were entered this year in the contest, but only six boys and girls made it to the finals, which took place on Wednesday night.
2016 Popcorn Panic Photos
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Some say the Popcorn Panic race is one of the toughest in the region - a 5-mile course that dips and dives around Valparaiso's neighborhoods. We were there and have a ton of photos as they started, as they crossed the finish line, and as the top runners and walkers received their their awards!
2016 Lil Kernel Race Photos
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The 2016 Lil' Kernel Race, sponsored by Valpo Parks, brought wave after wave of kids aged 2-9 to test their speed on Lincolnway in front of hundreds of spectators.
Flanagin's Bulk Mail Adds a Little Magic of Disney to Popcorn Festival
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Talk about full circle: The Flanagin Fairies were created out of following "The Disney Way," a type of business practices that encourages companies and their employees to get outside and connect with the communities in which they serve. During Popcorn Festival, the Flanagin Fairies were out in full force, and they met the authors of "The Disney Way" a business book featuring Flanagin's Bulk Mail!
2016 Valparaiso Popcorn Parade Photos
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This year, over 100 organizations and over 1,000 people walked in the Popcorn Festival Parade. Businesses, nonprofits, groups, politicians, and more strutted their stuff in front of thousands of spectators. If you check out below, you can see the full parade in under 2.5 minutes as we took photos and a GoPro video from the Steindler Signs Bucket Truck!
Muller Acura Brings World's Strongest Man to the 2016 Popcorn Festival
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The World’s Strongest Man and one of the region’s biggest festivals collided on Saturday afternoon. Muller Acura of Merrillville made the combination a highlight of the Popcorn Festival. Located right in front of the William E. Urschel pavilion in the heart of downtown Valpo, the World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw welcomed fans at the Muller Acura booth for photos, an interactive photo booth, and some light hearted chatter while hanging with friends from Muller.