"Sac City, Iowa, isn’t known for much. But what it is known for - the world’s largest ball of popcorn - it is quite proud of. The ball draws in visitors from all over (and many who are directed to the city and its popcorn ball, which is stored in a shed, by billboards that run alongside the nearby highways), which helps nearby businesses with tourism dollars," the Atlas Obscura says.

"The ball of popcorn is believed to weigh around 9,370 pounds. It measured eight feet in diameter and has a circumference of just over 24 feet.

"The ball of popcorn in Sac City was remade in February of 2009 by more than 250 volunteers who spent 12 hours and 40 minutes constructing the sculpture. The reconstruction required 900 pounds of popcorn, more than 2,500 pounds of sugar, and 1,400 pounds of syrup."

"Visit the World's Largest Popcorn Ball, built in 2016, weighing 9,370 pounds and standing taller than eight feet," the Travel Iowa says.

"Museum includes displays of historical items and the Historic Museum Village buildings. The museum is also open by appointment."

"Sac City is home to the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball," the Sac Economic & Tourism Development says.

"Created in 2016 and weighing in at more than 9,300 pounds, the entirely edible creation celebrates the county’s long tradition of growing popcorn and the numerous popcorn processing companies that are a vital part of the county economy.

"The Popcorn Ball, located in the Sac City Museum Complex, is available to view at all times."

"Iowa is full of roadside attractions, but Sac City’s World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn is one of the most unusual. While most giant food-themed attractions aren’t actually edible, this one could be. Made from real, locally grown popcorn kernels, the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn really is a ball of fun," the Olio In Iowa says.

"But the path to this world record wasn’t an easy one. Over the past 30 years, the community of Sac City came together four times to claim this title. Today, the small town remains home to the World’s Largest Ball of Popcorn — and you can experience it in person.

"On Saturday, June 18, 2016, Sac City came together to create its fourth World’s Largest Popcorn Ball. The hope? That this ball would be too big to ever be challenged again. Volunteers used a plastic form created by Lundell Plastics as a cradle to support the popcorn during its construction. Phillips says people of all ages come from all corners of the state and beyond to participate in the creation of the community’s popcorn projects."

"Sac City, Iowa, makes its mark as home of the World's Largest Popcorn Ball, a title the town lost for a time, but have snatched back with a new, super-sticky corn boulder," the Roadside America says.

"The ball is back and bigger than ever! It's up to 9,370 pounds. The museum wasn't open when we visited, but we were able to buy t-shirts down the street at the hardware store.

"Unofficial weight 9,370 pounds. Placed on display in a roadside building with a window, July 1, 2016."

"What sets Sac City apart? Well, a quiet city park in this small Iowa town hides the most unexpected find: the world's largest popcorn ball. See that little white building in the back? That's where it lives (yes, it even has its own house)," the Only In Your State says.

"Concocted in 2016, the world's largest popcorn ball weighs a whopping 9,370 pounds. It's a massive 12 feet in diameter.

"And while you're here, you can also visit the Sac City Museum and historic village just adjacent to the world's largest popcorn ball."

"Sac City is a city in and the county seat of Sac County, Iowa, United States, located just southwest of the eastern intersection of U.S. Routes 20 and 71 in the rolling hills along the valley of the North Raccoon River. The city is one of 45 designated Main Street Iowa communities through the Main Street Iowa development program.[3] The population was 2,063 in the 2020 census, a decline from the 2,368 population in 2000," the Wikipedia says.

Sac City was first platted in 1855 by Joshua Keith Powell of Fort Dodge, Iowa. The town was so named because the Sac and Fox Indians were in possession of the land at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. The City of Sac City was incorporated 19 years later, in 1874.

Judge Eugene Criss, credited with being the father of Sac City, left Wisconsin and crossed the Mississippi River in the early months of 1855 by covered wagon. He was in search of waterpower and had the desire to establish a settlement in a new and untried country. Deciding upon the North Raccoon River to begin his settlement, Judge Criss proceeded to erect the first log cabin in Sac City, establish himself in the hotel business, as well as keep a stage station and general store for nearby settlers.

Sac City was home to a previous world's largest popcorn ball, which weighed 3,100 pounds and was housed in its own building. A new popcorn ball was created in 2009, weighing 5,060 pounds. On June 18, 2016, volunteers assembled another possible record breaking ball weighing in at 9,370 pounds, now displayed in a new pavilion as a roadside attraction."

"Tourists will be directed to Sac City by billboards along the highway advertising the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball. This popcorn ball weighs in at around 9,370 pounds and has a circumference of about 24 feet. Sac City’s Cedar Creek Popcorn company began making huge popcorn balls for the county fair in 1995. They would fill the ball with dynamite, and it would shower the grandstand audience with popcorn when it exploded. This first “World’s Largest Popcorn Ball” was 2,225 pounds. 



"A few months later, however, that record was beaten by the Boy Scouts. The Cedar Creek Popcorn company set out again to make another giant popcorn ball that was big enough to beat the Boy Scouts. They created another popcorn ball that weighed in at 3,100 pounds," the Iowa PBS says. 

"In 2009, they were dismayed to hear that their record had been beaten yet again. A group of Sac City volunteers came together to make a 5,000-pound popcorn ball. But even 5,000 pounds was not good enough, as that record was beaten again in 2016. The 4th and final recreation of this giant popcorn ball leads us to the ball that Sac City has on display today."

"Driving through Iowa (on our way to The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend) we saw the sign for The World's Largest Popcorn Ball. What a great decision to take a 2 mile detour. Cute town with some stellar artwork as you dip down an incline to the town. Think LARGE, colorful butterflies made of metal, flowers & such. The giant Popcorn ball is unique and many in the community joined together to make this something special."

"Out of all the worlds largest things we stopped for, this was our favorite. Along with the worlds greatest popcorn ball, they also had a little village set up with a lot of antique things that you would find. It was well worth our stop."

"I am glad I got to see it. It's enclosed in it's own glass room visible from the road. The whole family got a kick out of my pictures. It was a good stop to stretch your legs and to get gas right across the street."

"We love to see unique things and the worlds largest popcorn ball fits right in that category. We liked the way it was inside so it is preserved, but with windows to be seen. It was also nice to have information posted about it."

"The pictures don’t do it justice. It’s ginormous! You can park right in next to it, no line, no fee. Well worth the stop!"

Photos: World's Largest Popcorn Ball: world record in Sac City, Iowa

(1-9) Facebook/SacCityMuseum

(10) Facebook/SacCountyIowa

(11-12) Facebook/SacCityMuseum

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