PAYSON, UTAH – Actor Kevin Bacon made a surprise appearance at Payson High School over the weekend, fulfilling a promise to revisit the location where his iconic film “Footloose” was filmed in 1984.
The actor’s return to the school came after students launched a social media campaign, #BacontoPayson, to persuade him to attend their final prom before the school’s relocation at the end of the academic year. The campaign involved recreating scenes from the movie and creating choreographed videos to catch Bacon’s attention.
During his visit, Bacon expressed his astonishment at the students’ determination, stating, “When I first heard about this Bacon to Payson thing, I was like, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ But you were all just tireless.” He commended the students for their efforts and credited them for convincing him to make an appearance.
As part of Payson High School’s initiative to bring Bacon back to campus, they pledged to create 5,000 essential resource kits to support his Sixdegrees.org foundation, benefiting underserved communities. The organization aims to distribute up to 40,000 kits as part of the “Footloose40” campaign.
Bacon’s visit included being presented with an honorary Payson High School diploma, posing for photos with students, and revisiting his locker from the movie set. The actor took to social media to share highlights from his time at the school, expressing gratitude for the students’ efforts to turn his return into a positive experience.
“Footloose,” a film about a teenager challenging a town’s ban on dancing, remains a cultural landmark after 40 years, with the prom scene still resonating with audiences. Bacon’s reunion with Payson High School provided a memorable tribute to the enduring impact of the movie.