The annual Van Buren Popcorn Festival is held each August in Van Buren, Indiana in celebration of the central role of popcorn in the town's identity. As with many small town festivals, the town of Van Buren has focused its annual summer celebration around a theme that has a lot of meaning to the local community. First held in 1973 (the 2006 celebration was the 34th Annual Festival), the Popcorn Festival has become a homecoming event to many "expatriate" residents of this small community. Enthusiastic festival goers find a blend of small town charm, yet a summer festival that is big enough to be interesting year after year.
The schedule varies each year but common themes include:
Thursday --
- evening: Weaver Popcorn Company Tent opens; centerpiece of the town "midway" of fair booths and kiddie rides
- evening: Quilt Show
- 6:30 p.m. Parade
- hundreds of units participate, including area school bands, civic clubs, first responder volunteers and so forth
- a frequent highlight of the parade is antique cars and antique tractors
- the 50-year reunion class of the Van Buren High School rides a float in parade each year
- late evening: open air band concert downtown
Friday --
- afternoon and evening: Weaver Popcorn Tent and midway open
- afternoon and evening: Quilt Show, crafts bazaar
- late afternoon: children's bicycle parade
- early evening: pet parade
- late afternoon and early evening: classic car show
- evening until late: open air concert downtown
Saturday --
- early morning: volunteer fire department pancake & sausage breakfast
- early morning: "Fun Run" and 5K "Kernel Classic" run
- all day: civic and festival events
- Free Cholesterol Testing
- Quilt Show, crafts bazaar
- Motorcycle Ride
- afternoon: Weaver Popcorn Tent and midway open
- afternoon: Children’s Popcorn Bowl (kiddie games at the park)
- afternoon: Big Wheel Race and children's pedal tractor pull
- late afternoon and early evening: classic car show and cruise in
- late afternoon: Baby Parade
- evening until late: open air concert downtown
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