Actor Kevin Bacon made a special appearance at Payson High School in Utah, the iconic filming location of the cult classic movie 'Footloose.' Bacon returned to the school, where he danced his way onto the stage to greet students attending what is likely the final prom at the school before its scheduled demolition next spring.
Bacon expressed his appreciation for the students' commitment and the enduring power of the movie to bring people together. 'Footloose' tells the story of a Chicago teen who challenges a small town's ban on dancing, a theme that resonated with the Payson High School community.
The town of Payson, with a population of around 21,000 residents, is located approximately 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. Principal Jesse Sorenson revealed that students had long hoped for Bacon's visit, which began as a social media campaign and evolved into a community-wide effort to support Bacon's charity, SixDegrees.
As part of the campaign, students collaborated to assemble 5,000 care packages for SixDegrees, with each package containing heartfelt messages for the recipients. Bacon joined forces with approximately 700 students and 300 community members to fill the care packages with essential items such as toiletries and clothing.
Principal Sorenson, a former graduate of Payson High School, shared that the movie 'Footloose' holds a special place in the school's culture, with the song being a staple at proms and students reenacting the film's iconic dance routine. Older residents fondly recall their involvement as extras in the movie and take pride in identifying local landmarks featured in the film.
The event was a testament to the enduring impact of 'Footloose' on the Payson community, fostering a sense of pride and nostalgia among residents of all ages.
