Las Vegas Celebrates National Popcorn Day

Author Mike O'Brian

January 19th, 2024 11:30 AM

people enjoying a movie and a barrel of popcorn

Don’t know too many people who do NOT like popcorn, so Las Vegas is primed to celebrate “National Popcorn Day!” Being from the great Midwest, growing up, it just seemed to be it’s own food group for the longest time! So, on The Mike & Carla Morning Show, this story about what they’re doing in Popcorn, Indiana really hit home!

Right off the bat, you should know that there really is a such a place! A small unincorporated area in Lawrence County. For most, that really doesn’t really do a lot, but know that the little town does exist. And they do love their popcorn there! To the point where they created a machine that shoots out the stuff on voice command! How cool is that?

Now on The M&C Morning Show, even a bowl of leftover kernels is a great treat. It doesn’t come up very often when you talk about great leftovers, but it’s up there! According to Carla Rea, movie popcorn is the BEST! The more butter the better…we’re talking 3 or 4 stacks of napkins necessary!

On the show this morning, one woman even described how show created a popcorn salad! Tasty, yet good for you right? It’s all documented in the segment from this morning and you have quite the choices to choose from if you’re looking for a tasty bucket.

Locally, “Popcorn Girl” has locations in Henderson, Summerlin and North Las Vegas. “Garret’s Popcorn Shop”, out of the Chicago area, has one location on the strip. But they are opening one at the airport. And of course, tons of movie theaters that you’ll be able to celebrate at and even enjoy a movie!

On the other hand, making the popcorn the old fashion way is the best! I know my dad used to pour oil in a pot, then the kernels and physical shake it until it stopped popping! Not sure how it happened, but it came out perfect every time! The first time I did it as a kid…burnt it all to hell. The smell was atrocious and it would be a while before I would try it again.

Now of course we just pop the compressed bag into the microwave…and it’s still good!

Mike O’Brian is the Program Director and Morning Show host on 96.3 KKLZ in Las Vegas, along with Carla Rea. He has been with the Beasley Media Group for almost 23 years. Mike was named one of the “Best Program Directors In America” by Radio Ink magazine. Over the years, “The Mike & Carla Morning Show” have been presented with a number of proclamations for their work in the community and numerous awards. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years, he writes articles on living in Las Vegas, sports, and odd stories happening within the state of Nevada. Mike is the host of the morning show and program director of 96.3 KKLZ/Las Vegas. He has been doing mornings in Las Vegas for the past 38 years. Over the years, he has hosted a numerous amount of community events and has been the P.A. announcer for a number of sports teams in Las Vegas. He has written on living in Las Vegas, the sports teams here, as well as odd & little-known facts about Las Vegas & Nevada.

6 Different Ways To Make Your Popcorn

There’s never a bad time to enjoy a bowl of freshly made popcorn. So today we are giving you 6 different ways to make your popcorn! And what timing, especially since it’s National Popcorn Day! The Mike & Carla Morning Show were SHOCKED (shocked) at how many listeners responded to the call.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is why? Why do we have a National Popcorn Day? Naturally, you can find popcorn almost anywhere you travel. It can be used for just about anything from a delicious treat, to creating arts and crafts. How many of us at Christmas time put popcorn on a string to decorate the Christmas tree?

How Do You Pop Your Corn?

So, leave it up to The National Popcorn Board to make the call and decide that it did indeed need it’s own day…thus proclaiming January 19th as National Popcorn Day! But how do you pop your corn? According to the mainstream, microwave popcorn is the popular choice now. But before you would nuke the bag, how did you make your popcorn?

There is the old fashion way of adding a little vegetable oil to a pot, pouring in the popcorn kernels, covering with a lid, then shaking vigorously until all is popped! M&C did find out that making it this way can differ on gas as opposed to electric!

Of course you had Jiffy Pop, the old fashion popcorn maker, or making it in a cast iron with a metal screen over the top! Now, according to an article published by allrecipes a couple of years ago, they came up with 6 great ways to make the perfect bowl of popcorn.

So do yourself a favor, spend a couple of minutes, listen to the segment from this morning, then scroll down to see the different ways to make your next bowl of popcorn…and enjoy!

6 Different Ways To Pop Your Corn!

#6 MAKING POPCORN IN A WOK
Clearly you can use a wok to make about anything, but to be honest, never thought about popping corn! But it does make sense…making it #6 on the list of Great Ways To Make Popcorn!

chengyuzheng via Getty Images
#5 CARAMEL CORN
There’s always a time to create your own version of caramel popcorn and it always tastes good! No wonder, this kind of popcorn came in at #5 on the list…check out the article mentioned above and create your own!

ALLEKO via Getty Images
#4 KETTLE CORN
This might be the perfect type of popcorn when at the local county or state fair. Or maybe just sitting around the house…it tends to be a huge favorite in the Midwest, but we know everyone loves a good size bowl of Kettle Corn. #4 on the list!

Eric Broder Van Dyke via Getty Images
#3 POPCORN IN THE INSTANTPOT
There are a lot of things you can prepare in an Instantpot, but got to be honest, never thought about making popcorn in one. Well there is a way to do it, once again refer to the allrecipes article mentioned above and find out. It must work since it ended up at #3 on the list!

MikeyGen73 via Getty Images
#2 POPPING CORN ON THE STOVE
There is always the old fashion way of just popping corn on a gas stove. It’s a bit more physical than the other ways, but it works to the point that it’s #2 on the list!

Vinicios Ferreira via Getty Images
#1 POPPING CORN IN THE MICROWAVE
We find this almost sacrilegious, but say what you will. It is the most convenient to make popcorn in time is of the essence. But the key here is to NOT skimp on the brand of popcorn if you’re going to go with this method. Buy only the best and it will taste the best! Making popcorn in the microwave is the #1 way to celebrate National Popcorn Day!

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