SeeCalifornia.com

NATIONAL POPCORN DAY IS JANUARY 19

Perhaps you started the new year with a bang and pop–as in popcorn. People often give decorator canisters filled with popcorn as holiday gifts because popcorn has broad appeal in the U.S. As a matter of fact, Americans are the largest consumers of popcorn in the world with the average citizen eating one quart per week. With that kind of popularity it seems that every day is popcorn day in the USA. We like to buy Trader Joe’s lightly salted olive oil popcorn but the variations are endless. For instance, Popcorn Bistro in Louisiana touts 153 flavors such as Strawberry Cheesecake, Bananas Foster, M&M, Loaded Baked Potato, Buffalo Wings, Dill Pickle and Boiled Crawfish. See more about popcorn.

In Costa Mesa, Calif. the Orange County Market Place hosts a popcorn festival on the Saturday and Sunday nearest National Popcorn Day. This year they are throwing a popcorn bash on Jan. 17 & 18, 2015. Attractions include free popcorn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days and entertainment from Kaptain Kernel who juggles popcorn balls and does all sorts of funny things with popcorn. Admission is $2 for ages 13 years and over, and free for children 12 and under and military with identification. ocmarketplace.com  (Note: OC Marketplace extended its free admission coupon which is good throughout 2015. Enjoy!)