Where Tradition Meets Progress
This Historical Popcorn Wagon was built in Illinois during the early 1900’s and was part of a stationery treat on the Main Street of Princeton, Illinois. Original owners soon learned that their ’secret’ trademark recipe... French Fried Popcorn was a huge success and in time decided to take the wagon on the road by attaching a Studebaker chasissis, allowing it to be pulled to many local county fairs. During the early 60’s the Popcorn Wagon was purchased by Marla’s family and had become both a landmark on Main Street USA, and a popular saught- after- icon at the County Fairs. A second popcorn wagon, ‘the spare’ had now come out of storage to be used as the back-up and supplement for larger occasions. A few nights of summer fun soon turned into a 3-4 day ‘weekend business’ at company picnics, stock car races, school activities, proms, weddings receptions, birthday parties and more. In her high school years, Marla was soon enlisted as part of the operation and many fun memories were made.
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Marla and Rich returned to Princeton and a new generation of entrepreneurs were established. The grandchildren soon became regulars and were always at Grandma & Grandpa’s side during the County Fairs with many more family memories soon to be made. After the passing of Marla’s parents the wagons were put into storage, but the decision was made in 2009 to sell the ‘spare’ to a family friend who has already created a legacy with her family and has promised to keep Tradition on Main Street USA. With memories in tact, the wagon was prepared for the move to Michigan and ready for a new chapter in history. As of today, Marla and Rich’s grandchildren, (4th generation) have already been the subject of several featured articles on the historical antique wagon. The Popcorn Wagon is now in full service and prepared to carry on tradition!
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