The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival has been named the "Best Festival of the
Region" by The Times readers for the past 12 years!
It all began in 1979, and
the
inception of the idea to bring a festival to the city. Who better to
salute than Valparaiso's native Orville Redenbacher and POPCORN! Since
that first festival 30 years ago,
Valparaiso has continued to honor the man who became America's Popcorn
King. The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to offer family-fun
activities for all ages with over 500 food and craft booths, kid's games
and rides, a 5-mile run (popcorn panic) and a 5K walk, live
entertainment, and THE NATION'S FIRST POPCORN PARADE!
Scheduled annually on the Saturday after Labor Day, the Valparaiso
Popcorn Festival is located in beautiful downtown Valparaiso from
7:00am-6:30pm. Plenty of off-site parking available with a shuttle into
town.
Friday
and Saturday
September
5-6, 2008
Valparaiso Kiwanis BalloonFest
Porter County Expo Hwy 49 south of US 30
Join us for an evening of family entertainment as we enjoy the mass hot
air balloon launch at approximately 5:30 pm (gates open at 4:30) on Friday & Saturday.
Hot air Balloon Glow at 8pm in a dazzling show reflecting the
many colors of the balloons as they are synchronized with music to light
the evening sky. Saturday, Sept. 6 Morning Hot Air Balloon Launch, gates open
at 6 am. Following the launch, entertainers will keep
your toes tapping while waiting for the balloons to
return.
(Porter County Expo Center - $8.00 per car load Parking Donation.
Food, Entertainment, Concessions, Children's Games, Rock Climbing Wall).
Traffic Detour Note: Access to St. Rt.
49 heading south from U.S. Route 30 is closed for repaving. Alternate
routes: from the West, take Sturdy Rd. south (the traffic light just
east of Valparaiso University), proceed to Division Rd., turn left and
proceed to Porter County Fairgrounds. From the east, take 325 E south
(near Porter County Airport), turn right at Division Rd. and proceed to
Fairgrounds).
