Kevin Bacon visits the Footloose scene four decades later | News about Entities and Arts

Actor Kevin Bacon has returned to the US high school where his film Footloose was filmed more than 40 years ago.

The 65-year-old visited Payson High School in Utah to greet students following a years-long campaign that began on social media under the hashtag #BaconToPayson.

According to news reports last month, the school has gone wild – holding a Footloose movie night, putting on a Footloose musical, renaming the annual Mr Payson competition after the actor and even organizing an essay contest to persuade Bacon to visit. it.

The mission turned into a community campaign in partnership with the actor’s charity, with students helping to put together 5,000 care packages for SixDegrees.

And on Saturday, the actor came to help around 700 students and 300 community residents fill out care kits.

“You convinced me,” he told the students.

“It’s great to see that kind of commitment to anything.

“I also think it’s amazing to see the power this film had to bring people together.”

In March, upon accepting an invitation to visit, he said: “I was so impressed with everything that’s going on there with this crazy idea of ​​bringing me back, so thank you, thank you, and I’ll go. I have to go.”

In Footloose, Bacon played a Chicago teenager who moves to a small town and fights against the dance ban.

The town of Payson, about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City, was the film’s setting.

Some of its 21,000 residents remember being extras and can point out parts of the city used in the film.

Later in the day, Payson High School students held their senior prom.

It is likely to be the last prom at the school before its outdated buildings are demolished next year.

The theme of the ball? Free, of course.