Celebrate National Popcorn Day at home and the theaters
Jan 19, 2022, 10:01 AM
Many cinemas are offering savory popcorn deals on National Popcorn Day . Image credit: Getty Images.
Today, January 19th is National Popcorn Day! A day where lovers of the bursted-grain can celebrate the tasty achievements of the savory snack.
According to the National Popcorn Board, Americans consume some 15 billion quarts of this treat a year, with many of these kernels consumed as a favorite movie treat. This year several theater chains are joining the celebration by offering delicious deals. But, if you can’t make it out to the movies, Popcorn.org has a variety of activities to try at home.
At the Movies:
- Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres is joining the celebration by offering a delicious deal to their loyal members. A free individual-sized freshly popped gourmet popcorn is available to all guests via the MyMegaRewards loyalty program. Existing members can redeem their digital reward via the Megaplex Theatres mobile app for fast counter pick-up, and new members are welcome to signup the day of to get their tasty treat. For additional details, simply visit this link.
- AMC Theatres is showing its appreciation for the popped grain by offering unlimited free refills with any size popcorn today. You can even plan ahead by using their mobile or online order and selecting express pick-up.
- Suppose you want a way to turn National Popcorn day into your own personal popcorn year. In that case, Cinemark is celebrating by giving moviegoers a chance to win free popcorn for an entire year! Members of the Cinemark Movie Rewards program can enter the contest now through January 31, 2022. Up to 10 entries are allowed per account to increase your chances to win. Signing up for an account is fast and easy online, with different benefits for paid or unpaid memberships.
- If you want to support local independent film, the Salt Lake Film Society has their popcorn poppers running at the historic Broadway Centre Cinemas (111 East Broadway (300 S), SLC) and their SLFS @Home program allows you to see the latest-run indie films from home.
Why do we eat popcorn at the movies?
While popcorn dates back thousands of years, it was actually during the Great Depression that it became irrevocably tied to the movie-going experience.
In the 1930s, Hollywood pumped out multitudes of movies that offered a therapeutic diversion for the American masses.
When most industries struggled, films provided low-cost entertainment for the whole family. At the time, audiences got more than a movie for their ticket price, but newsreels, cartoons, serial pictures, and more.
Theatre goers would even make a day out of their outing, staying for back-to-back shows and enjoying the modern conveniences like air conditioning they might not have at home.
Street vendors took note of the crowds heading to the movies and often set up their popcorn wagons on the sidewalks outside the venue. Theater owners took notice and brought the popcorn poppers inside their doors, increasing their profits with the cost-effective treat.
Celebrate National Popcorn Day with some fun popcorn recipes. The recipe for this Confetti Corn can be found at Popcorn.org. Photo Credit: The Popcorn Board.
Popcorn fun from home:
The National Popcorn Board’s website, Popcorn.org, has a variety of children’s activities, recipes, an education station, printables, and more! Explore the nutrition of the healthy snack (nutrition value is decreased dramatically as your butter pouring increases, of course.) Find out the difference between a butterfly or mushroom-shaped popcorn. Or even plan out your next science fair project.
There are many A-MAIZing ways to celebrate National Popcorn Day, at home or the movies. How will you show your respect to the kernel this year?
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