Kevin Bacon Reveals He’s Attending Prom At The School Where ‘Footloose’ Was Filmed: “Let’s Dance!”

The students of Payson High School will be kicking off their Sunday shoes with Kevin Bacon himself. The actor announced today that he would be returning to the Utah-based high school in which his 1984 hit Footloose was filmed to attend their prom.

Bacon stars as Ren McCormack in the original version of the musical drama, which follows a fictional Midwestern town and its strict ban on dancing. While the town of Bomont was made up, the school they filmed in was not.

With Payson High School relocating at the end of this year, its students organized a social media campaign — titled #BaconToPayson — in which they recreated scenes from Footloose around the school in hopes of catching Bacon’s attention and getting him to attend their final prom.

On this morning’s episode of Today, Bacon made a surprise video call into a gymnasium filled with screaming students. “What’s going on, Payson High School?! How are you guys doing?” he said, sending the room into cheers.

“I’ve been so impressed with everything that’s been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back,” Bacon said. “I don’t need to say it, but the movie and Payson High School was a big part of my life and I’ve been amazed by all the work that you guys have been putting into this with the musical and the flash mobs and the recreations, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by me.”

He continued, “Not to mention the fact that you’ve tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community. It’s really inspirational.” 

Bacon concluded, “So, thank you, thank you and I’m gonna come. I’ve gotta come! … Thank you guys. Let’s dance!”

The star’s return to Payson High School comes just in time for the 40th anniversary of Footloose. “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years but what’re you gonna do,” he told the Today anchors before logging off the call.

Check out the full clip above.