The festival began in 1979. The idea popped up as a suitable way to salute Valparaiso native Orville Redenbacher (1907-1995), America’s Popcorn King.
YouTube from 2009
To see how much fun you can have at this festival, click here to watch a YouTube video from 2009.
Eat at the Orville Redenbacher Tent
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Prime Rib
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Vodka Chicken (ID required?)
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Southwest Crab Cake (there are crabs in the Southwest?)
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Turkey Pie
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Heirloom Tomato Salad
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Red Velvet Cake
- And, of course, corn on the cob
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Cutest Baby Contest
We’re not sure what the relationship of babies to popcorn is, but it’s nice to see that they are having a contest like this nonetheless — the winning boy bady and the winning girl baby will ride, accompanied by the parents of course, in the Popcorn Festival Parade:
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Open to all babies ages 9-24 months from Porter County at the time of the contest
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Babies should be dressed in outfits that are comfortable
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Bring a toy for your baby to keep the baby amused, which will help pass the time
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Judges will judge for 1.5 minutes per baby
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Scoring basis: 20% clothes, 40% facial appearance, 40% personality
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Once your baby is judged, you are free to go home; take baby with you
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