Popcorn week is here: downtown Valparaiso will be celebrating all week long leading up an explosive festival day chock full of fun! So you can get the most out of your Popcorn experience, we’ve put together a guide to this week’s events so you don’t miss a minute!
Friday, September 9
Due to overwhelming response, Valpo Parks will re-open Lil Kernel Puff registration on Friday, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm at the Butterfield Pavilion, located at the corner of Calumet and Evans. Fee will be $21. T-shirts are available on a first come, first serve basis only. Registrations will be available until the maximum number of entries is reached.
Lunch catered by Kelsey’s will be held in the Orville Redenbacher Tent from 11 am to 1 pm.
Friday’s Lunch ($9.50)
- Prime rib, baked potato, roll, soft drink
Dinner catered by the NWI School Nutrition will be held at the Orville Redenbacher Tent from 5 pm to 7 pm. Live music will be held by the VHS Band/Swing Choir.
Friday’s Dinner ($9 pre sale, $10 at the door)
- Pork Chop, baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce, roll & butter
Pre-Popcorn Fest Dinner and Party
- The Elks BPOE Valpo Lodge 500 will be hosting a Fish Fry from 4 to 11 pm at the Lodge. Smoked pork chops, 1/2 grilled chicken, and Italian beef also will be on the menu, choose one for $7.95. At 8 pm, the Scoville Brothers will perform live.
Pre-Popcorn Party at Don Quijote's
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Come celebrate the night before the big day at Don Quijote's! Keenan Baxter will be performing smooth jazz in the outdoor patio from 7 to 9 pm. Choose delicious offerings from Don Quijote's authentic Spanish menu, including 25 different tapas, Spanish appetizers.
21st Annual Kiwanis Hot Air Balloon Fest
- Held at the Porter County Fairgrounds, come see balloons light up the night! A launch will take place at 6 pm, followed by a Glow held at 8 pm. There will also be food, live entertainment, concessions and children’s games. Tethered balloon rides will also be available for $10 a person. A $10 parking donation is asked. Click here for a $2 off parking fee coupon!
Downtown roadways will begin closing Friday evening in preparation for the morning races and parade.
Saturday, September 10
Miller Lite Offering Free Bus Service all day beginning at 6:30 am, via the V-Line bus routes. The busses will run through the end of normal services. For routes and schedule information, call 1-800-FREE-RIDES, visit MillerLiteFreeRides.com or text FREERIDES to 90464
Starting at 6:45 am, Lincolnway from downtown west to Campbell St, then north on Campbell to Glendale will be completely closed to traffic for the Popcorn Panic race/walk. Roadways will re-open shortly after the race/walk concludes and then re-close just prior to the parade starting at 10 am. The parade routes includes Calumet from Evans south bound on Morgan Blvd to Lincolnway then west bound to Campbell St and north bound to Park Ave.
Booths Open 7:00 am
- Look for the Kiwanis selling Dairy Queen treats and bottled wotter, raising money so the Kiwanis can continue supporting local youth, and check out the Valparaiso International Center's booth which will be giving away free chocolate and hot and iced tea!
Kids Poppin’ and Play Place at Franklin Street
- 7:00 am to 6:30 pm: Inflatable rides, games and food
Popcorn Panic 7:00 am
- Watch local runners and walkers as they tackle a 5 mile scenic course (5K for the walkers) throughout Valpo. One of the year’s best races!
Lil Kernel Puff Race 8:45 am
- Ages 2 through 9 take place in this yearly event. Come cheer on the kids as they race down Lincolnway! Pre-registration is available at the Valpo Parks Department. There is no race day registration.
Orville Redenbacher Parade 10:00 am
- Local organizations, businesses, sporting groups, non-profits, schools, and musicians take place in this staple of the Popcorn Festival. The 2011 Grand Marshalls will be Marci and Courtney Crozier, the mother/daughter team who were popular contestants on Season 11 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser! The parade travels down Morgan St to Lincolnway to Campbell, ending at the high school. Stake out a spot along the route early to ensure you take in every popcorn-speckled float!
Orville Redenbacher Tent 11:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Enjoy food and beverages offered by Billy Jack’s, Duffy’s Place, Martini’s, and Valpo Velvet!
2nd Annual Popcornucopia Palooza
- Join Cornucopia Coffee Company from noon to 8 pm for an all day music festival. For $10, you will get a wristband that will give you unlimited access all day to come and go as you please. Only 150 will be sold. Featured performers are Theo, The Jug Band, The Threatles, and David Thornberry and The Cornucopia All Star Open Mic Jam Band. Get out of the heat and/or rain and away from the bees, enjoy 8 hours of great music, food and beverages, come and go as you please, with clean restrooms, all only for $10.
Frontier Hospitality Tent
- Stop by Frontier's Hospitality Tent from 4 to 8 pm, located on the southeast corner of Jefferson St and Lafayette St. For more information, contact Mary Miller at 219.252.9335
Music Events Noon to 6:30 pm
Main Stage at Central Park Plaza
- Noon to 1:15 pm: The Carlos Ramos Band
- 1:30 to 3:00 pm: The Kinsey Report
- 3:15 to 4:45 pm: The Crawpuppies
- 5:00 to 6:30 pm: Cracker
Visit VCFE on Facebook
Visit the VCFE Website
162 W Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-464-8332
Front Porch Music Stage at the corner of Lincolnway and Michigan Street
- Noon to 6:30 pm: The stage will feature students from the Garage Band 101 Course at Front Porch Music and Local Musicians
21st Annual Kiwanis Hot Air Balloon Fest
- Held at the Porter County Fairgrounds, come see balloons light up the night! A launch will take place at 6 pm, followed by a Glow held at 8 pm. There will also be food, live entertainment, concessions and children’s games. Tethered balloon rides will also be available for $10 a person. A $10 parking donation is asked. Click here for a $2 off parking fee coupon!
To experience Popcorn Festival's from year's past, visit our photo galleries of the 2009 and 2010 Festivals!