Image of popcorn pile dressed like a man with black text on a yellow background.
The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival was founded in 1979 as a way of honoring Indiana native Orville Redenbacher, who began his business career selling popcorn out of a truck during high school, and later went on to found his successful company in 1970. Redenbacher was a resident of Valparaiso and participated in the festival until his death in 1995. In 2012 the town unveiled a statue of Redenbacher in their central park. The festival takes place the first Saturday after Labor Day, and includes a Popcorn Parade, a 5k fun run, and the children's "Lil' Kernel Puff Race".
Thomas, Robert Jr. (1995, September 20). "Orville Redenbacher, Famous For His Popcorn, Is Dead at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/20/obituaries/orville-redenbacher-famous....
"Statue honors popcorn king Redenbacher". (2012, September 5). Terre Haute Tribune Star. Associated Press. Retrieved from http://tribstar.com/local/x620793977/Statue-honors-popcorn-king-Redenbacher.
"Valparaiso Popcorn Festival". Valparaisoevents.com. Retrieved from https://www.valparaisoevents.com/event/valparaiso-popcorn-festival.