World Record Rolls Out Of Topeka
by Harold Gingerich
Not many people think of Topeka
According to Huggins the initial
to Sac City, Iowa, where residents built
as being the home of world records, but phase of the project will involve about a 5,000 pound popcorn ball in 2009.
that may change, especially since the
2,500 pounds of kettle corn and syrup.
Snax in Pax was started in KendAssociated Press picked up the story
of the giant popcorn ball being made
by Snax in Pax. On Thursday, July 11,
the over 5,200 pounder headed out of
Topeka for the Indiana State Fair.
In keeping with this year’s theme,
“Year of Popcorn”, State Fair officials
approached Weaver Popcorn about
creating the world’s largest popcorn
ball to be placed on display at the State
Fair which runs from August 2-18 in
Indianapolis. While Weaver declined
because of time constraints and a lack Stephanie DeCamp, Indiana State Fair Representavive and Will Huggins, Owner at Snax and Pax with
the popcorn ball before it left the Snax and Pax plant in Topeka.
of production capacity, they did have
a customer in mind that they thought
Additional caramel corn, syrup, and
allville twenty years ago by Will Hugmight be able to handle the project.
equipment will be shipped to Indianap- gins, a Topeka native and Westview
That’s when Will Huggins, the owner of olis where State Fair officials and other High School grad. Approximately six
Snax in Pax in Topeka, got a call.
dignitaries, including Governor Pence, years ago he moved operations to his
“To be honest,” Huggins said, “I
will complete the hand-forming of the hometown. The company is a major
didn’t think we had the time either, but popcorn ball. Once on display, students supplier of caramel corn, caramel puffs
the idea intrigued me.” With Weaver
attending the fair will be asked to caland fudge for the Midwest snack food
supplying the popcorn and the State
culate how many ears of popcorn and
industry. Over 80% of their business
Fair supplying a bowl 8 feet in diamwhat part of an acre it took to grow the is manufactured under another brand
eter, the project was off and running.
corn necessary to make the ball.
name. They do carry their own Copper
Warm ninety pound batches of popped
Stephanie DeCamp, Education
Kettle and Snax in Pax brands which
corn and syrup began moving along
Specialist for the Indiana State Fair, on are available in their store in Topeka.
conveyors to where Snax in Pax ema recent visit to Topeka, stated that all
Once the State Fair is over the
ployees used metal tampers to pack it
the ingredients are being individually
popcorn ball will be used for animal
into the mold.
weighed to insure an accurate final to- feed. Huggins, who plans to attend
tal. Currently the world record belongs the unveiling on August 3rd, chuckled
when he said, “Oh, it will be edible, but
I wouldn’t recommend it!”
If you live in and around Topeka
I’m sure you have smelled the intoxicating aroma of caramel corn that
often permeates the town. Though you
may not want to eat the world’s largest
popcorn ball, the taste of Snax in Pax
caramel corn is in a class all its own.
Yum! It is so good!
The Hometown Treasure · August ‘13 · pg 7