Kernels of Fun at Manito Popcorn Fest
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: September 1, 2012
MANITO- People braved the rain at the Popcorn Festival in Manito this weekend.
With more than 50 vendors, this Mason County town was popping.
"This is the one thing that we do all year that the community really supports and gets behind, and looks forward to the talent show and the lip sync contest and the princess pageant," said Manito resident Shannon Thrasher.
Popcorn Festival Chairman, Lee Lacey, said he loves the stuff so much, he's organized the event for 39 years. He doesn't remember a year with as many puddles. Remnants of Hurricane Isaac fell from the sky all weekend long.
Looking at a popcorn machine he said, "Has a lot of moisture in there that doesn't belong there."
But the rain isn't discouraging the die-hard popcorn lovers.
"We wanted to come in, we brought our umbrellas and thought we'd make a day of it anyway," said Manito resident, Shannon Thrasher.
"Popcorn's still good. Still pops," Lacey said.
Mason County is the largest producer of popcorn in the state, but the crunchy snack isn't the only thing that draws people in.
"It really supports a lot of the cheerleaders, a lot of the community type fundraisers for the events that they have here," Thrasher said.
The popcorn festival's parade was postponed because of the weather, it will start at 10 a.m. on Monday. For the rest of the tentative schedule click here.
With more than 50 vendors, this Mason County town was popping.
"This is the one thing that we do all year that the community really supports and gets behind, and looks forward to the talent show and the lip sync contest and the princess pageant," said Manito resident Shannon Thrasher.
Popcorn Festival Chairman, Lee Lacey, said he loves the stuff so much, he's organized the event for 39 years. He doesn't remember a year with as many puddles. Remnants of Hurricane Isaac fell from the sky all weekend long.
Looking at a popcorn machine he said, "Has a lot of moisture in there that doesn't belong there."
But the rain isn't discouraging the die-hard popcorn lovers.
"We wanted to come in, we brought our umbrellas and thought we'd make a day of it anyway," said Manito resident, Shannon Thrasher.
"Popcorn's still good. Still pops," Lacey said.
Mason County is the largest producer of popcorn in the state, but the crunchy snack isn't the only thing that draws people in.
"It really supports a lot of the cheerleaders, a lot of the community type fundraisers for the events that they have here," Thrasher said.
The popcorn festival's parade was postponed because of the weather, it will start at 10 a.m. on Monday. For the rest of the tentative schedule click here.
