Visitors are invited to relive their own childhood memories of Santa and that long-sought-after Christmas present while strolling through the annual exhibit, A Christmas Story Comes Home. The exhibit will open on November 9 and close December 31, 2019. Special events, contests, photos with Santa and other activities will take place throughout the exhibit.
Depicting infamous scenes from the holiday movie A Christmas Story, the exhibit features six animated displays, including Higbee’s Department Store, 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.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see a bronzed Flick with his tongue stuck to the flag pole, providing a perfect photo opportunity of the classic scene 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
Holiday for HeroesFirst responders and retired and active military are invited to view the exhibit, take part in activities and get their photo taken with Santa during this special event on December 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“A Major Event” & Holiday Market will be held Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Indiana Welcome Center and kicks off the holiday season. The Welcome Center will be bustling with children’s activities and a cozy holiday market, featuring handcrafted and specialty items. “A Major Event” kid’s activities include a passenger train, “Flick” Bingo, crafts, and a visit to Santa atop Santa’s Mountain. The Holiday Market will continue from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8.
All is CalmSanta invites families with special needs on December 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The exhibit will be sensory friendly and accessible for kids of all ages. Photos with Santa are available.
“Oh Fuuudge!” Tire Changing Relay is an event that pays tribute to the events leading up to Ralphie blurting out “the-queen-mother-of-dirty-words,” and will be held on Saturday, December 14. Parent/child teams will run through an obstacle course, with prizes awarded to the pair with the best time. Register online; check-in begins at 9:30 a.m., and the event starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.
The popular “Mommy’s Little Piggy” Mashed Potato Eating Contest features plates mounded with mashed potatoes and contestants of different age groups showing how the piggies eat and will be held on Saturday, December 21. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m., and the first wave of participants will begin 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.
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, where Ralphie Parker asks Santa for a 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. as well as and other special days leading into the holidays. Children have the opportunity to slide down a big red slide into a pillow of snow. Photos are $6 each.
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, December 11 & 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Photos are $6 each, and proceeds from photo sales are donated to Humane Indiana. *Well-behaved animals only.
Write A Theme Contest
Is your heart set on getting that one special gift for Christmas? In the
holiday movie, A Christmas
Story, Ralphie Parker dreams of opening something special on
Christmas morning. He pours his heart out to his teacher, Miss Shields, in a
theme-writing homework assignment. Although Parker didn’t get the response he
desired, you may! Submit an entry in the Write a Theme Contest for a chance to
win a prize.
Entries for the “What I Want for Christmas” Write a Theme Contest must be dropped off at the Indiana Welcome Center or mailed to “Write a Theme, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, IN 46323,” and must be postmarked by December 14. Entries must include the entrant’s name, address, phone number and age category. One entry accepted per person and entries should be more than 20 words, but not exceed 250.
There are four age categories: 7 and under, 8-12, 13-17 and 18 and older. Winners in each category will win a prize valued up to $150.
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!
