Kevin Bacon, now 65 years old, graced the halls of Payson High School on Saturday, April 20th, fulfilling a long-awaited promise to return to the iconic filming location of the 1984 movie ‘Footloose.’ Four decades since the movie’s release, Bacon’s presence was a culmination of a months-long social media campaign initiated by the school’s students.
Recalling his surprise at the students’ dedication, Bacon attributed his return to their ‘unrelenting’ efforts. He reminisced about the timelessness of the movie’s message, emphasizing the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, forgiving others, and expressing oneself freely.
The students’ campaign extended beyond social media, partnering with Bacon’s charity, SixDegrees. To persuade him to visit, they pledged to assemble 5,000 care packages. Weeks of heartfelt messages were written for the eventual recipients, and through collaboration with the Utah Film Commission and SixDegrees, donations and toiletries were gathered.
On the momentous day, Bacon assisted in filling the care packages alongside an estimated 700 students and 300 community members. Principal Jesse Sorenson expressed the school’s pride and joy in having Bacon attend the Footloose-themed prom, a tradition that has become synonymous with the school’s events. Older residents fondly recounted their experiences as extras in the movie and took delight in pointing out Payson landmarks featured in the film.
