“A Christmas Story” Comes Home Opens November 8

A-Christmas-Story-Exhibit“A Christmas Story” Comes Home This holiday season, the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit, presented in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, will be on display from Nov. 8, 2014 until Jan. 4, 2015 in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall. The design takes visitors to the streets of downtown Hohman, a fictional Indiana town which was a disguise for Jean Shepherd’s hometown Hammond.

As part of the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit, the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond will feature six animated display scenes from “A Christmas Story.” The displays include Higbee’s Department Store Window, Flick’s Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare, It’s a Major Award, Santa’s Mountain at Higbee’s, The Bumpus Hounds and A Hero’s Dream.

In addition to the exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to see Flick have his tongue stuck to a flag pole, a bronze homage to the classic scene from the movie, in front of the Indiana Welcome Center.

The Indiana Welcome Center is located at the intersection of I-80/94 and Kennedy Avenue South in Hammond; only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and two hours north of Indianapolis.

Special Events “A Major Event” will be held Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Indiana Welcome Center and kicks off the holiday events. The Welcome Center will be bustling with children’s activities from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including a passenger train – kids can ride for just $1! “Flick” Bingo, movie showings, crafts and sweet treats will all be available.

The “Oh Fuuudge!” Tire Changing Relay will be held on Saturday, Dec.13. Parent/child teams will run through an obstacle course and prizes will be awarded to the pair with the best time. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.

The popular “Mommy’s Little Piggy” Mashed Potato Eating Contest will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20. Registration will start at 10:00 a.m.

All events are held at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond and registrations are available online at www.AChristmasStoryComesHome.com.

Letters to Santa, live entertainment and more! Bring the whole family to enjoy live entertainment on the weekends and write letters to Santa and drop them in the big mailbox in the exhibit hall! View the documentary “The Untold Christmas Story” in the 100-seat theater, vote on the ugliest leg lamp and favorite holiday tree or participate in the Write a Theme Contest – the exhibit is packed with fun for the whole family. More information is available online at www.AChristmasStoryComesHome.com.

Relive the “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” scene atop Santa’s Mountain Have your picture taken with Santa on top of Santa’s Mountain, a replica of the one featured in the movie. In the famous scene, Ralphie Parker asks Santa for an Official Red Ryder BB Gun, and Santa responds, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.”

Photos with Santa on Santa’s Mountain are available between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center. Children have the opportunity to slide down a big red slide into a pillow of snow. Photos are $5 a piece.

Wag Your Tail Wednesdays Don’t miss the opportunity to have your pet photographed with Santa on Santa’s Mountain. Pet photos with Santa will be available Wednesday, Nov. 26, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Photos are $5 each, and $1 of every photo is given to local animal shelters. Well-behaved animals only.

More Information Visit www.AChristmasStoryComesHome.com for a complete list of special events, contests, hours of operation and directions. The Welcome Center gift shop offers an array of movie memorabilia including the infamous leg lamp!