Kevin Bacon set to visit Payson High School
Mar 22, 2024, 9:08 AM | Updated: Apr 19, 2024, 2:08 pm
Michael Bacon and Kevin Bacon (Bacon Brothers Band) during rehearsals for Mother Nature Netwok's White House Correspondents' Jam IV on April 27, 2018 at The Hamilton in Washington, DC. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Mother Nature Network)
(Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Mother Nature Network)
SALT LAKE CITY — A project that has been in the works for over a year is finally happening. Kevin Bacon, the actor who played as Ren McCormack in the movie “Footloose,” is planning to visit Payson High School.
According to a press release, the Utah Film Commission has been working on getting Bacon to Payson High School for the 100-year anniversary of Utah film and television.
Students also played a role in getting him to Payson by holding flash mobs to get Bacon’s attention.
“Throughout the 100th anniversary, we are celebrating not only film and television moments that were made in Utah, but the people and places behind those moments,” said Virginia Pearce, Director of the Utah Film Commission.
“Footloose’ is one of those iconic moments in Utah’s film history that made both an impact on Utah and the world. I am so proud of the Payson High School students and hope this celebration will remind everyone of Utah’s rich film history.”
Pearce told KSL NewsRadio that the Payson student council knew about a month ago that Bacon was coming. The secret was so under wraps, their own parents didn’t know what was happening.
According to the press release, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the movie’s release date.
It was announced this morning that Bacon would be visiting the high school during NBC’s TODAY show. Bacon let the students at the school know via video that he was coming to their prom during the show.
The press release states the actor will be visiting the school on April 20.
“We’ve worked so hard this year and done our absolute best to make this crazy dream a reality,” said Payson High School Student Body President Rubie Raff. “I can’t believe that it’s finally happening and that we can say we did it! It was all worth it—we got Kevin back to Payson!”
Related: Kevin Bacon to stop in Utah this summer with Bacon Brothers band
