Valparaiso Celebrates the 47th Annual Popcorn Festival

The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival took place this Saturday, marking its 47th anniversary with extensive community participation and various engaging activities. Marc Mihalik, a Chesterton firefighter, participated in the 5K Popcorn Panic by walking in full gear. The 3.1-mile event attracted mixed reactions, with Mihalik receiving a range of questions from observers. Previously, he intended to walk in a 5K race in Chesterton, which was canceled due to damage caused by an August storm.

As the festival unfolded, Clark Cooper, along with his family, enjoyed the festivities, including the 47th annual parade. Jennifer Wright, CEO of Hilltop Neighborhood House, actively engaged her supporters with corn hats, expressing fondness for the event she first attended in 1979. Hilltop Neighborhood House added about 100 walkers to the parade.

Valparaiso Events organized the parade, which included over 100 entries featuring school bands, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, cheerleaders, and more. Donna Flanagin, a long-time attendee, embraced the event’s spirit by dressing as a fairy godmother. Her involvement with the festival spans decades since her daughter’s infancy.

Leonard and Linda Kazmirski, hobbyists from Mishawaka, showcased their creativity with a patriotic float built from their son’s boat trailer. Their float-building journey began in 2011, eventually leading to participation in the 2019 national Memorial Day parade in Washington, D.C. The Kazmirskis attend about 25 to 30 parades annually, including 10 during the Christmas season.

Members of the Valparaiso Police Department marched in the parade, adding to the procession’s ceremonial aspect. Meanwhile, the St. Paul Men’s Club operated a tent offering brats and hot dogs, with proceeds intended for charitable causes. The club aims to reinforce the church’s community presence, earmarking earnings for organizations like St. Agnes adult daycare.