Why Are We Called
The Popcorn Cluster?
by Carol
Richardson, VKC Member
Since becoming a
cluster of shows, we have been asked by judges and out-of-town
exhibitors why we call our shows the Popcorn Cluster, and pass out
free popcorn.
The photo may
give you a clue! Orville Redenbacher and a friend, Charles Bowman
bought Chester Seeds here in Valparaiso in 1952.
It was there,
after creating and testing more than 40,000 varieties, Orville
developed his famous “light and fluffy” Gourmet Popcorn, introduced
in 1971.
He actually
developed his first popcorn hybrids while in 4-H, but it took over
40 years to find that perfect combination. He graduated from Purdue
in 1928 with a degree in agronomy. He taught high school for a
while, and operated a 12,000 acre farm owned by Tony Hulman (owner
of Indianapolis 500 Racetrack), before buying Chester and moving to
Valparaiso.
Thus, we are
called the Popcorn Cluster in honor of that white-haired, skinny and
bow-tied creator of the first Gourmet Popcorn.
Valparaiso also
holds a
Popcorn Festival every year in September, and Orville
returned to
Indiana several times to participate in that event.
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