Movie road trip: A cinematic site per state for all 50 states

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Idaho: Napoleon Dynamite

“Pedro for President” became part of pop culture history. In 2004, tater tots and Chapstick gained legendary status because of the film Napoleon Dynamite. The story of a quirky high school boy became a huge hit and a cult classic. A large majority of the film was filmed in Preston, Idaho.

Jared and Jerusha Hess created Napoleon Dynamite. They are originally from Preston. After the movie’s success, the Preston community embraced its newfound notoriety. For a couple of years after the movie’s release, the town held Napoleon Dynamite festivals. The festival had ” Tater Tot Eating Contests, Tetherball Tournaments, Moon Boot Dances, Look-A-Like Contests and The Happy Hands Club performance.”

Today, the festivals are gone, but the town has a lot of charm. The Preston High School was Napoleon’s high school from the movie. Several scenes show colorful lockers. According to a report, the colorful lockers still remain.

In the same report, the city of Preston still embraces the Napoleon Dynamite connection. Some people sell movie maps to the various filming locations. Fans still want to see the actual movie locations.

Preston, Idaho is more than just the home to Napoleon Dynamite. Franklin County, in which Preston lies, is the oldest county in Idaho. Mormon settlers founded the area in 1860 and remain a large part of the population. In addition to the historical significance, the area is popular with snowboarders in the winter.

Located near the Utah border, Preston, Idaho may not be the biggest city to visit, but it has its charms.