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Fall harvest stand in Valparaiso girl catching snowflakes in Valparaiso berries from valparaiso farmer's market

popcorn festival

Popcorn Festival

september 10, 2011
always the Saturday
after Labor Day

Popcorn Festival Brochure (PDF, 2.7 mb)

Popcorn Festival Tent Menu (PDF)

Celebrating its 33rd year and named the “Best Festival of the Region” by The Times readers for 13 years, the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to offer family-fun activities for all ages. Over 200 arts & crafts booths, 30 food booths, kids’ games, the five-mile Popcorn Panic, and the nation’s First Popcorn Parade are only the beginning of the excitement of this incredible festival.

It all began in 1979, when the idea to bring a festival to the city popped up in the minds of the Valparaiso city leadership. Who better to solute than a Valparaiso native who became a household name with his very own brand of popcorn? Orville Redenbacher – America’s Popcorn King - was the inspiration behind the very first Popcorn Festival and the Nation’s First and Finest Popcorn Parade.

Today, over 30 years since the idea became reality, the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival is a family favorite that draws visitors from near and far.

The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival is located in beautiful downtown Valparaiso, kicking off with the Popcorn Panic at 7 a.m. and wrapping up at 6:30 p.m. Plenty of off-site parking is available with a shuttle bringing you downtown.

 

Miller Lite is once again teaming up with the V-line and offering Miller Lite Free Rides for the 2011 Popcorn Festival. Free Rides will be offered on Saturday, September 10th from 6:16 a.m. to midnight!

 

Main Stage entertainment will feature Cracker. For more information on Cracker visit crackersoul.com

Booth Application Requests for Popcorn Fest Now Available
Do have unusual items or handmade arts and crafts that everyone will want to buy? Reserve a booth at the Popcorn Fest street bazaar and watch your items sell off the shelves! To reserve booth space call 219-464-8332.

2011 Popcorn Festival Poster
Design Contest Winner

2011 Popcorn festival poster winner
Valparaiso Kiwanis Balloonfest

21st Valparaiso Kiwanis BalloonFest

Friday and Saturday
September 9-10, 2011

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 6 p.m. on Friday & Saturday. Hot air Balloon Glow at 8 p.m. in a dazzling show reflecting the many colors of the balloons as they are synchronized with music to light the evening sky. Saturday, Sept. 10 Morning Hot Air Balloon Launch, gates open at 6 a.m. Following the two evening launches, entertainment will keep your toes tapping while the balloons return from their flight to provide the balloon glows each evening (weather permitting).

(Porter County Expo Center - $10.00 per carload admission donation. Food, Entertainment, Concessions, Children's Games).

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See the Grand Opening Video!

On August 6, 2011, the Summer Rhapsody Music Festival officially marked the Grand Opening of Central Park Plaza – the most recent addition to Valparaiso’s downtown streetscape. The Porter Health Amphitheater hosts events and performances. The Central Park Plaza Market brings fresh-from-the-farm produce, plants, and handicrafts to the area. The Splashing Fountain delights children of all ages.

Take a closer look at Valparaiso’s newest entertainment destination.

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shop.valparaisoevents.com is open!

"Shop VCFE" gives you an easy, online opportunity to show your support of VCFE by purchasing a membership, buying tickets to your favorite VCFE-sponsored attraction, or adding a VCFE specialty item in celebration of a VCFE event. Every purchase you make on our secure site helps us continue to create and promote the many festivals, events, and retail establishments that make downtown Valparaiso a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination for residents and visitors, alike.

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Become a VCFE Member!

You can be a part of the success of VCFE by becoming a member. We currently offer four different annual membership levels to give you the opportunity to choose the level that’s most comfortable for you.

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Valparaiso Community Festivals & Events

VCFE is Dedicated to:

  • Promoting Valparaiso, its businesses and retail environment
  • Improving community-wide attractions
  • Initiating cooperative efforts
  • Providing fun-filled, family oriented recreational activities
  • Enhancing the friendly atmosphere of Valparaiso