Bringing the entire community together and then some is a fantastic feat, and that’s exactly what Valparaiso did during its Popcorn Festival on Saturday, September 9. Even after its creation, the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to bolster community pride.
“This is amazing. I love it so much. I’m originally from Chicago, but Valparaiso Events and everything it does is definitely what drew me here and keeps me here in Valparaiso. To be a part of this experience is wonderful,” said Jessica Harmon, office coordinator for Valparaiso Events.
This year’s festival was one of the biggest Popcorn Festivals in Valparaiso’s history. There was a massive influx of parade floats and vendor entries–so many entries that Valparaiso Events actually had to make a waitlist. The team was blown away by how much the event continues to grow each year.
“I’m amazed at how much this event has grown in just the time I’ve been here. It’s awesome to see that we’re drawing more people in and that the Popcorn Festival is touching even more people’s lives. This event is at the core of our community and it’s always great to see more people come out to Valparaiso just to experience it,” said Harmon.
Popcorn Festival kicked off the way it always does: with the highly anticipated Popcorn Panic Five Mile and 5k Walk and Run, hosted by Valpo Parks. Runners strapped on their running shoes and dressed up in their finest popcorn-themed costumes to break their personal records and get their blood pumping before the rest of the day’s festivities.
Afterward, kids ages two through nine had the opportunity to challenge themselves in their very own Lil'l Kernel Puff Run, also hosted by Valpo Parks. Kids raced down Lincolnway as fast as their little legs could carry them while their families cheered them on from the sidelines.
Once the races had ended it was finally time for the parade. This year’s parade participants pulled no stops when it came to making their creative floats–everyone couldn’t help but point out their favorites. Kids held their candy bags high in the air hoping to catch a treat as dozens of colorful floats rode by. Everyone especially loved it when the cheerleaders did exciting stunts for the crowd, doing flips, cartwheels, and even jumps in the air.
The fun didn’t end there, though. This year’s festival featured over 40 food booths and over 250 arts and crafts booths. All the adults had a wonderful time perusing vendor stands offering literally anything they could ever want or think of. The kids, on the other hand, had a blast at the infamous Ultimate Poppin’ Play Zone. From gigantic slides to carnival games, there was something for kids of all ages to enjoy.
For all the music lovers in the community, Valparaiso Events brought back the music festival in Central Park Plaza. People danced their hearts out to several bands including The Indigos, Mr. Funnyman, and Small Town. There was no better way to wrap up the festival than with Satisfaction–an international Rolling Stones tribute show that had everybody singing at the top of their lungs.
As people hopped from one activity to the next, greeting old friends and making new ones while adorned in years worth of Popcorn Festival merch, one thing became abundantly clear: nothing brings the community together quite like the Popcorn Festival.
“It truly brings everyone in the community together and shows off Valparaiso’s community spirit. Everyone takes the festival so seriously. There are people who come out who have been collecting festival buttons since the very first Valparaiso Popcorn Festival. People come from out of town just to take part. We have repeat vendors year after year. It’s just wonderful,” said Harmon.
Of course, this year’s Popcorn Festival wouldn’t have been possible without the community’s support. Valparaiso University, Purdue University Northwest, Indiana Beverage, Strack & Van Til, Indiana University Northwest, 1st Source Bank, Horizon Bank, Centier Bank, and countless other organizations throughout the Region came together to make this year’s festival unforgettable. The Valparaiso Events team is grateful for their commitment to the festival year after year.
It goes without saying that the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival was a remarkable win for community pride and unity. Nobody will forget the fun they had and the memories they made any time soon.
“I hope everyone had an amazing time today. I hope they loved all the floats and craft vendors and walked away with a deeper appreciation for how much time people put into making this event special. Most importantly, I hope everyone goes home feeling like out of all the festivals and parades they went to this summer, the Popcorn Festival was the most memorable,” said Harmon.
The Valparaiso Events team can’t wait to put on another popping Popcorn Festival next year. Kernels of ideas are already in the works, so get ready to have some fun because the festivities in Valparaiso never end.
To learn more about Valparaiso Events and the way Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to bring the community together, visit www.valparaisoevents.com.
