Valparaiso’s Popcorn Festival weekend is officially underway after the city hosted its annual Popcorn Festival Kick-Off Concert on Thursday, September 5. A live performance by The 1985, an 80’s tribute band, energized the crowd and launched the city’s biggest weekend of the year in style.
Neon colors and retro sounds emanated from the stage as attendees packed into Central Park Plaza. The 1985 played a little something for everybody, from Madonna to Metallica, while footage from classic movies, music videos, games, and more was broadcast onto the park’s amphitheater. Some spectators danced next to the stage, while others crowded around the statue of Orville Redenbacher.
“This event rolls right off the back of our Summer Concert Series, it gets people out here to enjoy the beautiful weather here in Central Park Plaza,” Tom Clifford, Executive Event & Marketing Manager for Valparaiso Events, said. “For 45 years this town has celebrated its foundation, Orville Redenbacher, and the lore of popcorn. We’re thrilled to continue the tradition and be a part of the legacy.”
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Popcorn Festival, and it is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Community favorites such as the Popcorn Panic 5 Mile & 5K Walk/Run on the docket, as well as the annual Popcorn Parade which will draw thousands of spectators. Valparaiso Events has also coordinated one of their most dynamic lineups of musical acts yet, and their team is eager for people to see the results.
“This is the culmination of a lot of work, it’s the flagship that Valparaiso Events is known for,” Clifford said. “Traditionally there’s been one main stage act that serves as the musical headliner for the festival. This year, we’re providing three acts that we think everyone can enjoy.”
Jonny James, a Nashville recording artist from the Region, is set to take the stage at 12pm on Saturday. Following him up is Motherfolk, a band that performed at Lollapalooza just last year. Closing things out are The Red Roses, a Chicago-based band whose performance in the 2023 Summer Concert Series created a stronghold of local fans.
Attendees at the Kick-Off concert were eager to get the festival underway. One such attendee was Jerry Mangel, a longtime Valpo resident who has only missed two Popcorn Festivals since the event began 45 years ago.
“They’ve changed a lot of different things, like they have this concert here now when we used to have music up at the Courthouse,” he said. “It’s as big and good as it’s always been, I think!”
Mangel loves a good party, and joked that he sometimes has to be carried home.
“Things like this bring everybody out, and I’m excited to see all the different friends that still come,” he said. “I’m hoping the weather doesn’t mess things up, but it always seems to turn out nice. We’ve had some years where it’ll be raining, but by mid-morning it turns beautiful.”
Valparaiso Events is organizing one more event before Saturday’s festivities – the Hot Wheels Race of Champions & Food Truck Rally on Friday, September 6. Children will be invited to race Hot Wheels down a massive track in the William E. Urschel Pavilion starting at 4:30 p.m. Registration is just $1 a car, and participants can bring their own car or purchase one on-site for $2.
The Popcorn Festival itself begins with the Popcorn Panic and Lit’l Kernel Puff Run & Kernel Korral, both starting at 7:30 on Saturday morning. Over 320 craft, food, and fine arts vendors will open up shop at 8 a.m., and the Popcorn Parade takes off at 10 a.m.
For a full list of events, vendors, and musical acts at the 45th annual Popcorn Festival, visit valparaisoevents.com.