Everything You Need to Know about the 36th Annual Popcorn Festival

Valparaiso’s storied Popcorn Festival, now in its 36th year, is set to take place this Saturday bringing more than 40,000 people into town throughout the day to partake in some fun and enjoy some of the best Valparaiso has to offer, and we've got all the info you need about the day's festivities.

The day starts off with the Popcorn Panic, a challenging five-mile course, starting and ending at Valparaiso’s new Central Park Plaza. Following the Panic, kids ages 2-9 are encouraged to participate in the Lil Kernel Race, a series of races for young children that will see them run down Lincolnway to encourage a lifestyle of activity and health.

Of course, many come out for the Popcorn Parade, which will see more than 100 organizations, businesses, clubs, and groups representing themselves with a march around Valparaiso.

Starting at noon, live music at South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority Main Stage will open at 11 a.m. while many of the festival-goers will work their way through the 400+ booths set up throughout downtown with booths offering arts, crafts, products, and of course, food.

The Popcorn Festival will be headlined this year with the Spin Doctors, brought to you at the South Shore Convention Visitors Authority Main Stage, with the concert beginning at 5 p.m.

The full schedule of events:

  • 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Craft, Food and Fine Arts Booths Open
  • 7:30 a.m. - Popcorn Panic 5K Walk / 5M Run
  • (hosted by the Valparaiso Parks Dept.)
  • 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Kid's Poppin Play Place Opens - Inflatables & Games
  • 8:45 a.m. - Lit'l Kernel Puff Race
  • (Kiddie Run - hosted by the Valparaiso Parks Dept.)
  • 10 a.m. - ChicagoLand Popcorn Parade
  • 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - ChicagoLand Popcorn Food Tent and Main Stage Beer Garden Open
  • 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - South Shore CVA Main Stage featuring the Spin Doctors
    • Noon-1:00 p.m. - Nicole Jamrose
    • 1:20 p.m.-2:40 p.m. - Keith Jackson & The Triple Dose Band
    • 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - The Crawpuppies
    • 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Spin Doctors
  • 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Front Porch Music Stage Entertainment

For more information visit Valparaiso Events’ website at www.valparaisoevents.com. Be sure to watch our video interviews with Valparaiso Events’ Tina. St. Aubin and Jennifer Peek as they talk about the festival and give you everything you need to know about this year’s event.

We’ll be online all day sharing photos and stories from the day on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and be sure to use the hashtag #PopcornFest so we can see all the fun you’re having throughout the day. Plus, if you're marching in the parade, look up at Lincolnway and Michigan Ave., we'll be up in the Steindler Signs Bucket Truck taking your photo! 

The Valparaiso Police Department has outlined a few traffic guidelines for the day for those who need to get around. Miller Lite is teaming up with Indiana Beverage, Valparaiso Events, and the V-Line to provide free shuttle rides for those who need it on any V-Line route throughout the day. 

There's already been a lot of good Popcorn-related news so far this week, between Kelsey's Steakhouse bringing Howie the Cow to this year's parade in memory of their owner and of course REGIONAL federal credit union bringing you the 2014 Cutest Baby Contest that was held this week as well. 

Let’s have a fun, safe weekend.

Click here for last year’s coverage!

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