This year marks the 25th anniversary of the classic holiday movie 'A Christmas Story.' Unless you live under a rock, chances are pretty good that you've seen this film – it plays for 24 hours on TNT between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, after all. Whether it's the foul-mouthed, ''major award-winning'' father, the pink bunny pajama wearing, Red Ryder BB-gun toting Ralphie or the mashed potato-snorting little brother Randy that draws you in, 'A Christmas Story' is arguably one of the best yuletide movies of all time.
Based on a book by Jean Shepherd, a Hammond, Indiana native, 'A Christmas Story' comes to life in the 'A Christmas Story Comes Home' exhibit on display at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond now through Jan. 11. Six animated displays depict 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 the Parker Living Room. These displays were first showcased in 2003 in Macy's Department Store windows in New York City.
Get your picture taken with Santa on top of Santa's Mountain every Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $5. You know you always wanted to slide down that big red slide into a big pile of fake snow.
Throughout the holiday season, you can participate in various Christmas Story-themed events like the "Mommy's Little Piggy" Eating Contest on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:30 a.m. Check out the official web site for details on how to snarf down a plate of mashed potatoes the fastest.
Admission to the exhibit is free; the Welcome Center is open Sunday-Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Indiana Welcome Center
7770 Corinne Drive
(I-80/94 & Kennedy Avenue south)
Hammond, IN 46323
219-989-7979/800-ALL-LAKE
