Van Buren Popcorn Festival
The annual Van Buren Popcorn Festival is a festival held each August, typically during the 1st or 2nd full Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the month, in Van Buren, Indiana. The festival is held in celebration of the central role of popcorn to the town. As with many small town festivals, Van Buren's focuses on a theme that has meaning to the community. First held in 1973, the Popcorn Festival has become a homecoming event to many expatriate residents of this small community.
Since 2020, strict measures are undertaken, such as wearing masks & social distancing.
== Schedule ==
Whilst the schedule varies each year it usually tends to follow a similar pattern:
Thursday:evening: Boy Scouts Popcorn tent opens, serving popped popcorn; centerpiece of the town midway of fair booths and kiddie rides
evening: many food and craft booths
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: entertainment on the stage
Friday:afternoon and evening: Boy Scouts popcorn tent opens
afternoon and evening: food and crafts vendors
late afternoon: children's bicycle parade
early evening: pet parade
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
food and craft vendors
Fincannon Memorial Car and Motorcycle Show
Cornhole Tournament
afternoon: Boy Scouts Popcorn Tent
afternoon: Children's Biblical Festival at the United Methodist Church Annex
late afternoon: Baby Parade
evening until late: open-air concert downtown

== External links ==
Festival Home Page
Van Buren, Indiana