National Popcorn Day – Facts and Fun!
How great is it that there is a day celebrating my favorite snack – National Popcorn Day!
It’s delicious and a healthy snack alternative for the family. I am very much a plain jane when it comes to popcorn – I like it lightly salted with a smidgen of butter. I even eat it totally natural…my kids would never hear of that! My youngest one is currently obsessed with flavored popcorn – cheddar cheese or kettle is his most favorite.
I am starting to see a trend here…I seem to like the “National” days that pay homage to food and drink!
National Popcorn Day is a Thing!
In honor of National Popcorn Day, I would like to share some interesting history on this delicious snack.
- Native Americans in North America discovered popcorn thousands of years ago. One of the oldest forms of corn, there is even evidence of it from 3600 B.C. in New Mexico
- During the Great Depression, while other businesses failed, the popcorn business did fabulously and became a source of income for struggling farmers.
- There are 6 “Popcorn Capitals of the World” – Ridgeway, IL; Valparaiso, IN; Van Buren, IN; Shaller, IO; Marion, OH; and North Loup, NE.
- Popcorn is the official state snack food of Illinois – what is your state’s official snack food?
- The world’s largest popcorn ball was unveiled in October 2006 in Lake Forest, IL. It weighed 3,415 pounds (!!!), measured 8 feet in diameter, and had a circumference of 24.6 feet! Orville must be proud!!
Must-Haves for Popcorn Lovers
What better way to celebrate this day than with some new popcorn bowls! I personally love the retro bowls and containers.
There has been news that microwavable popcorn bags may not be the healthiest form on popcorn as some of the chemicals used in the bags can be harmful. I love to pop fresh popcorn and below are some of my go-to makers. There is a bowl that you can put in the microwave, using kernels.
The Popcorn Board
There is an organization named The Popcorn Board, a non-profit check-off organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors to raise awareness of popcorn as a versatile, whole grain snack. They even have a “mascot”, Poppy!
Fun National Popcorn Activities and Crafts to celebrate deliciously!
- Guess how many kernels are in the jar? Fill a jar with unpopped kernels and see if the kids (and adults) can figure out how many are in there…winner gets a prize!
- String popcorn and hang it on a tree for the birds (and probably squirrels as well) to join in on the celebration.
- Print up some cute popcorn coloring sheets via popcorn.org.
- Print up and have fun with popcorn worksheets – 1st and 2nd-grade level – 3rd and 4th-grade level – 5th and 6th grade level via popcorn.org.
- Flavor your popcorn in 50 different ways.
What is your favorite type of popcorn and what will you be doing to celebrate this yummy holiday-of-sorts?
