A time-honored and long-standing tradition of the South Shore Conventions and Visitors Authority (CVA) is going all out to celebrate “A Christmas Story’s” anniversary. This year is the 40th anniversary, so this year is extra special. The movie is based off of Hammond, Indiana due to the writer, Jean Shepard, being a local. From the time of the film’s production, it has had the Region’s heart. Replicas and scene displays from the movie line the Hammond Convention Center. Along with the displays, the movie is playing on cycle throughout the exhibit. To commemorate your visit, you can get photos with Santa on his mountain or take a photo with the infamous leg lamp.
Along with the exhibit, there were trees decorated by local businesses and organizations all throughout the center to show their support of one another and to spread their Christmas spirit. There were also activities such as mailing letters to Santa, making ornaments, and there was a concession table provided by Herbkoe Fun Foods. Visitors were able to warm up with: hot cocoa, caramel apples, special craft waffles and more.
Oklahoma couple David and Debbie Fletcher came across the exhibit by accident as they were on their way to Michigan, but were so taken back, that they would come back just to see it again.
“This is beautiful, the story and the trees,” said David Fletcher. “This is a really neat and great idea. I wish more visiting centers had this; this is something special, so I can see why the parking lot is filled.”
Debbie Fletcher said that they were driving to visit their children and grandchildren and came across the Convention Center and decided to stay and look around and she is glad they did.
“This is our vacation and this is our first year driving up here,” Debbie Fletcher said. “This is really unusual, but it makes the trip even better.”
A Christmas Story is a classic holiday film that has fans all across the world, connecting past, present and future generations. Visiting the Convention Center for this special exhibit, they can all come together to experience it firsthand where the movie’s roots started.
South Shore CVA Travel Council member Lenny Linn says that the Christmas Story exhibit is a tradition that he loves to see grow each year.
“I think it's a symbol of tradition, good times and family above all else,” Linn says. “I feel that when people come in, they're reminded of their childhoods, reminded of their family members, whether they're with them or not. It brings everyone closer together and at its core, that is what this is about.”
A Region local and participating business is Dan Herbst with Herbkoe Fun Foods. Herbst comes to the event not just to work, but he brings his family to enjoy the fun as well.
“It's nice for our community,” Herbst said.``It’s cool that this whole thing happened here and is based on us. Everyone should come and see what we have here.”
The exhibit just started out with trees, and as time went on they added to it. The attraction has over a thousand visitors each year and it continues to expand. With 2023 being the movie’s 40th anniversary, the cast is coming to pay a special visit to the South Shore CVA December 16th-17th. Come to the Convention Center and say ‘Hi’ to Ralphie and the gang this year, make sure to mark it on your calendar.
To learn more about the South Shore CVA, you can visit: https://www.southshorecva.com/achristmasstory/
To learn more about Herbkoe Fun Foods, you can visit: https://herbkoefunfoods.com/
