City officials today announced Valparaiso's life-size Orville Redenbacher statue will be unveiled September fourth, 4 pm, one of the opening events for the annual Popcorn Festival, celebrated in Valpo every year since 1979. Redenbacher, born in downstate Brazil, began growing popcorn at the age of 12. In 1951, he and partner Charlie Bowman bought the George F. Chester and Son seed corn plant near Valparaiso, and the rest is popcorn history. The famous brand was first sold at Chicago's Marshall Field in 1970. Redenbacher passed away in 1995 and Bowman in 2009. They're both memorialized in a plaque in the city’s downtown.

Lou Cella of Arlington Heights, Illinois, is the sculptor.  His works include the bronze statue of Cubs legend Ernie Banks at Wrigley Field. The Redenbacher sculpture will be seated on a park bench, letting visitors get a photo op with the 'king of popcorn'. 

Photos of Orville statue in progress... (courtesy of city of Valparaiso)










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