Home Calendar Popcorn Festival Trick or Treat Holly Days Summer in the City Vale Fine Arts Festival Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events Volunteer Contact Us Local Links


 
2008 Theme: '30 Years of Popcorn & Memories'

2008 Chairman-Glennas Kueck


Festival Do's & Don'ts

In-line Skates, skateboards, and bikes are prohibited in the downtown area during the festival.
Dogs and other pets should be kept at home
during the festival

And as always,
Don't Drink and Drive


Popcorn Shuttle Info
Adults $3, Children $1
Maximum $8 (R/T fees)


Festival Information
The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival has been named the "Best of the Region" by the Times readers for the past 12 years.  The average festival attendance is 60-75,000.  The festival is held in the heart of Downtown Valparaiso, featuring over 500 arts and crafts booths and 50+ food vendors in addition to the wide array of fun listed on our brochure.  Enjoy!

Directions
From the West, take I-65 to US 30 East into Valparaiso;
or take I-80/90 East or I-94 to State Road 49 South and follow the signs to the Popcorn Shuttle North Shuttle Parking area.

From the East, I-80/90 or I-94 West to State Road 49 South or US 30 West to Valparaiso and follow the signs to the Popcorn Shuttle South Shuttle Parking area.


Handicap Parking Information
From US 30 East to State Road 2, turn North on Washington Street.  Proceed to the barricade and turn right (east) on South Street.  Go over the tracks to the stop sign to Franklin Street.  Continue north on Franklin to Monroe Street parking in Bartholomew Funeral Home lot. 
(Must have proper I.D.)

Pre-Festival Events
Sat., April 12, 2008 Popcorn Ball
Saturday, TBA Popcorn Prince & Princess Finals
Sponsored by:
Saturday, Aug. 16
8 am - 12:00 pm
Cutest Baby Preliminaries
Open to all Porter County Babies between 9-24 months at the time of the contest. 162 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso.  Further information available on-line or contact the VCFE office at 219-464-8332. Sponsored by the Post- Tribune.

Orville Redenbacher Tent
(corner of Napoleon & Jefferson)

Tues, September 2
11:00 am-1:00 pm (Lunch)
5:00pm- 8:00pm (Dinner)

Lunch Pesto's
Catered by


St. Paul School

7:00 pm Cutest Baby Finals
Sponsored by: Post-Tribune
Weds. September 3
11:00 am-1:00pm
Lunch Billy Jack's
Catered by:
4:30-7:30pm Dinner: TBA
Hosted by:
5:00 pm Hot Wheels "Race of Champions"
5:00 pm Registration
6:00 pm Race begins
Open to all ages. $1.00 entry fee
5:00 pm  Entertainment - VHS Varsity Singers
Thurs., September 4
11:00am-1:00 pm

Lunch Strongbow Inn
Catered by:

Dinner: Kiwanis

4:30-6:00 pm AG Day Kiddie Tractor Pull
Sponsors: H&P Case, Valparaiso Kiwanis & RC&D, Porter County Ag Committee, Morgan Twp. F.F.A. & NIHPA
Registration begins at 4:00 pm
(For children 30-60 lbs., no age limit, FREE)
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Chicken BBQ TBA
Hosted by: Valparaiso KIWANIS Club Nite
Friday, September 5
11:00am-1:00pm
Lunch Kelsey's
Catered by:
5:00-7:00 pm Pork Chop Dinner
Hosted by: N.W. Indiana School Nutrition Assn. #25  Nite
6:00-7:30 pm Entertainment:  Goodtime Cloggers and Wolffgang
Festival Day Activities Downtown Valparaiso
Saturday, Sept.  6
7:00 am
Opening Ceremonies
Arts & Crafts Booths Open
7:30 am Popcorn Panic 5M Run and Popcorn 5K Walk. (Map) Register at: Valpo Park Dept., Blythe's Sport Shop or Race day registration at the Orville Redenbacher Tent - Jefferson & Napoleon St. (Pick-up packet for all races Friday night, Sept. 7, 4:30-7:30  at Fairgrounds Park)
8:45 am Lit'l Kernel Puff Race (Kiddie Run) Ages 2-9
Pre-registration at Valpo Parks Dept.  *NO race day registration.  Limited to 675 pre-registered children. Sponsored by 1st Source Bank.

10:00  am

 

 

 

 

 

Orville Redenbacher Parade

 

18th Annual Kiwanis Hot Air Balloon Show
($8 parking donation)

Friday, Sept. 5
5:30 pm & 8:00 pm

4:30 - 8:00 pm

 

Launch & Glow

*Tethered rides

Saturday, Sept. 6
6:30 am

 

Launch

7:00 - 8:30 am *Tethered rides

4:30 - 8:00  pm

*Tethered rides

5:30 pm & 8:00 pm

Launch; Glow

*Tethered Balloon rides are handicapped accessible.  $10 per person charge for a 5 to 10 minute ride. Capacity 6 people per ride.
Additional Events
Friday, Sept.  5

Live music by the bands:

 


6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 

8:30 pm -10:30 pm

Valpo Nite Street Dance

Sponsored by Chase


(Corner of Lincolnway and Washington St.)

 


7:30 pm
VHS Auditorium
Masters of Harmony Annual Chapter Show
Featuring:
$11 Students & Seniors
$12 in advance, $13 at the door

Thursday, Sept.  4
7:00 pm
Friday. Sept. 5
7:00 pm
Chicago Street Theatre
154 W. Chicago St.

Community Theatre Guild Presents:  The Jungle Book, based on the book by Rudyard Kipling.

For a complete schedule of Chicago Street Theater shows checkout their website.


The Popcorn Festival
Main Stage

Sponsored by NIPSCO
(corner of Lincolnway & Washington St.)

12:00 pm - 1:30 p.m -
         
1:45 pm - 3:15 p. m -
        
3:30 pm - 5:00 p.m -
5:15 pm - 6:30 p.m -
        

The Poppin Fest Stage


Sponsored by: (Located TBA)

12:00 pm - 1:20 pm

 The Crawpuppies  
         
1:40 pm - 3:05 pm

Chester Brown
         
3:20 pm - 4:45 pm

Planetary Blues

         
5:00 pm- 6:15 pm

Cowboy Hellmet

 

Kid's "Poppin & Play Place"

 

7:00 am - 6:30 pm

Inflatable's, games & food

 

The Poppin' Kid's Stage

TBA

 
 

This site Copyright 2008 by Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events, Inc. (VCFE)
All rights reserved.
Any Reproduction of this site or its likeness without written consent of
Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events, Inc  is prohibited by law.
  Revised: 02/05/2008 03:52:28 PM