Kevin Bacon Cuts Loose And Visits “Footloose” High School For Its Final Prom

#Bacontopayson was officially a success. On April 20, Kevin Bacon made his triumphant return to the Utah High School that served as the backdrop of his hit film, Footloose.

For months, students made it their goal to get the actor back into the halls of Payson High School for three reasons. The school will officially shut down at the end of the 2024 school year, the movie celebrated its 40th anniversary this year—and it’s Kevin Bacon.

To convince Kevin to pay them a visit, students have been posting videos on social media under #bacontopayson and pledged to support the actor’s nonprofit, SixDegrees.org.

Kevin heard their pleas. And during a mass assembly, he announced his plans to show up on prom day. He made good on that promise over the weekend.

Students gathered to meet Kevin Bacon as he toured the school, posed for selfies, and gave autographs. They also stood on the football field and listened to him reminisce about filming Footloose in 1984.

“Things look a little different around here,” he shared. “I’d say the thing that looks the most different is me.” 

“When I first heard about this #BaconToPayson thing, I thought, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ But you were all tireless, unrelenting in your desire to have me return, and you talked me into it,” Kevin continued. “I think it’s great to see that kind of commitment to anything.”

The school district has decided to demolish Payson High School after classes wrap up this spring. Next year, students will attend a brand new building that is currently under construction. But Payson Principal Jesse Sorenson said that one special piece of Footloose memorabilia will be saved and moved into the new school—the locker Kevin Bacon used in the film. It will be placed inside the Hall of Fame “for his influence on the school’s dance policy.”

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.