Kevin Bacon is returning to the high school where he shot “Footloose” as the film celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
On Friday, the actor announced on the “Today” show that he’ll visit Utah’s Payson High School on prom day before the school is set to relocate to another building. Bacon shared the news during a segment “Today” did on the school and its ties to “Footloose.”
The announcement comes after students pushed Bacon to attend prom by using their #BaconToPayson social media campaign and organizing an event to support his SixDegrees.org foundation.
“I have been so impressed with everything that’s been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back,” Bacon said in a video call to a gym packed with students.
He added that he’s been “amazed” by the students’ efforts, which included recreations of scenes from the movie, and gave them props for mentioning his foundation.
“It’s really inspirational, so thank you, thank you. And I’m going to come. I got to come,” Bacon said before students erupted in cheers.
“Thank you, guys. Let’s dance.”
Bacon has previously shown love to Payson, sending students a video message after they asked him to visit the school in 2009.
“Don’t be afraid to be different. Remember, it takes all kinds of people to make this world go around, so be good to each other, take care of each other and don’t forget, there’s nothing wrong with shaking what you got,” Bacon said before breaking into a dance.
The school still keeps up with its “Footloose” connections. Ren McCormack’s locker in the film includes a plaque that reads, “Congrats! You’ve got Kevin Bacon’s locker!” and stills from the film appear in the hallways, the Deseret News, a Utah news outlet, noted.
Bacon’s organization looks to create 40,000 humanitarian kits for the film’s anniversary, with hopes of Utah contributing thousands of kits toward that goal for charities in the state, Payson student council advisor Jenny Staheli told the Deseret News.
Members of SixDegrees.org are set to visit the school on prom day to make kits with students next month.