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Posted in Sports

Popcorn Capitals of the World

There are at least 6 towns or cities in the United States that have claimed the title of “Popcorn Capital of the World.” Some of these localities link this claim to fame in an annual festival. It seems that people always like to have a reason to celebrate and popcorn is a healthy, fun and all-American element to center a party. Let’s take a quick look at the popcorn capitals of the world.

Most of the country’s popcorn is grown in Nebraska and Indiana, so it seems only natural that two of the cities that have claimed this title are in Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana has a large festival called The Popcorn Festival each year honoring Orville Redenbacher, a former resident who set up a popcorn factory there and participated in the annual parade most years until his death in 1995. Orville Redenbacher popcorn is a widely known brand of popcorn. Van Buren, Indiana also calls itself the popcorn capital of the world. The largest employer there is the Weaver Popcorn Company and every August they host the Popcorn Festival.

Only one city in Nebraska has ever held the title of popcorn capital and it apparently no longer celebrates that title. At least I couldn’t find any information about it. A flood in June 2010 did a lot of damage to the city when a dam broke. Marion, Ohio has also held the title of popcorn capital, but unfortunately I couldn’t find any history of it.

Another former title holder is Ridgway, Illinois. The popcorn plant is closed now. The first Popcorn Day was held in 1958. It continues to be celebrated as part of the Gallatin County Fair.

Schaller, Iowa was founded in 1879 as a station for the railroad that headed west across the country. In the mid-1900s, a major industry for the city was popcorn packaging. Bango and Jolly Time were the two companies located there and this encouraged the townspeople to take on the title of “The Popcorn Capital of the World”, but in the mid-1980s the companies moved elsewhere.

The titles and festivals may have changed over the years, but popcorn continues to be a very popular snack enjoyed by millions of people.

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