About This Festival
The Van Buren Popcorn Festival is held annually in Van Buren, Indiana, the "Popcorn Capital of the World," from August 7 to August 9, 2025. It celebrates the town's strong popcorn heritage tied to the Weaver Popcorn Company, founded in 1928. The festival takes place across from the Van Buren Library and offers free admission with handicapped accessibility.
Festival Atmosphere and Surroundings:
Van Buren is a charming, small Midwestern town with a population around 800 and a warm, community-oriented vibe. The festival embraces this small-town feel by focusing on family-friendly and community activities that honor local history and celebrate popcorn, which is globally distributed from the town. The atmosphere is festive and inclusive, with a lively crowd gathered for music, food, and entertainment amidst a backdrop of local pride in popcorn production.
Festival Activities and Attractions:
- Parade: The festival kicks off Thursday evening (August 7) at 6:30 pm with the "Van Buren High was Poppin' Up Aces" parade featuring local groups and floats.
- 5K Run: Saturday morning features a community 5K race attracting local runners.
- Live Music: Music performances take place nightly, including a karaoke competition on Friday evening.
- Kids Activities: Bounce houses, pedal pulls, character meet-and-greets, and other children’s entertainment run throughout the festival.
- Car Show: Display of various cars provides an additional attraction for enthusiasts.
- Food Booths: Numerous vendors serve popcorn (logo item), traditional fair foods, and specialties from local groups like the Lions Club which runs a popular tenderloin booth.
- Other Entertainment: Caricature artists provide portraits, and a balloon display themed around popcorn enhances the festival ambiance.
- Fireworks: Saturday night concludes the festival with a fireworks show.
Rough Schedule Overview:
| Day | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 8/7 | 4:00 pm onwards | Festival Information Booth opens | Near Van Buren Library |
| 6:30 pm | Parade starts | Main street through town | |
| 7:30 - 10:00 pm | Crowning of the 2025 Royalty | Festival grounds | |
| 6:30 pm onwards | Live music, Karaoke competition | Various festival stages | |
| 8:00 pm onwards | Bounce houses open | Kids area | |
| Friday 8/8 | Daytime | Vendors open | Festival grounds |
| Evening | Continued live music/entertainment | Various stages | |
| Saturday 8/9 | Morning | 5K Run | Starting in town center |
| All day | Kids activities, car show, caricatures | Festival grounds | |
| Evening | Fireworks display | Central festival area |
History and Founding:
The festival emerged from Van Buren's identity as a popcorn production hub, headquartered by the Weaver Popcorn Company established in 1928. It began as a local community effort to celebrate this unique industrial heritage, gradually expanding into a regional festivity with sponsorship from Weaver Popcorn and local organizations.
Overall, the Van Buren Popcorn Festival is a vibrant, multi-day event rooted deeply in local tradition and community spirit, combining agricultural pride, fun family activities, and food-centered entertainment to attract residents and visitors alike.