Hammond honors ‘A Christmas Story’

• Reprints

Updated: December 18, 2011 5:15PM

Saturday’s “A Tribute to A Christmas Story” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Hammond promises to be an event befitting the delightful holiday film. Both offer charm, nostalgia and some wacky family fun.

“A Christmas Story” is one of the most-watched holiday movies each season, with an estimated
50 million viewers.

Most Northwest Indiana residents know the film is based on quasifictional stories by Hammond native Jean Shepherd and is set in the 1940s. It tells the story of the days leading up to Christmas for the Parker family: Mother, “the Old Man,” 9-year old Ralphie and little brother Randy.

If you haven’t seen the film or if, like our family, watching it at least once a year is a tradition, there’s a free showing at the Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave., at 1:15 or 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Does your father resemble “the Old Man”? Does your little brother have pink bunny pajamas? Do you resemble a character from the film? Then you might consider entering the look-alike contest. Maybe you’ll win a major award. Judging will take place at 4 p.m. at the main stage at the Hammond INnovation Center, 5209 Hohman Ave.

The plot of the film centers on Ralphie’s wish to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, only to have many adults — including Santa — warn him that “you’ll shoot your eye out.”  Saturday’s event will include a shooting gallery (tickets $1), using foam projectiles and Ralphie’s picture as the target. 

Think you’re fast at changing a tire? Then enter the timed tire-changing contest.

These are just two activities inspired by the film.

Children can meet Santa with mean elves, like in the film, at 5243 Hohman Ave., where children’s games and crafts are planned all day. There also will be an art pro-ject at South Shore Arts’ Substation No. 9, 435 Fayette St.

A library volunteer portraying Mrs. Shields, the teacher from the film, will read children’s stories and help children write letters to Santa. There also will be a book giveaway.

Although the neighbors’ dogs, the Bumpus hounds, devour the Parkers’ turkey dinner in the film, on Saturday, you can try (frozen) turkey bowling. You also can adopt a hound from the Humane Society.

There are more activities, including a cookie-baking contest, and a pink-bunny exchange (similar to a white elephant) for wrapped items valued up to $20.

For more information, go online to www.downtownhammond.org.

Admission to the event, film and some activities are free. Parking and shuttle service also are free.

Horse-drawn carriage rides and some activities have nominal fees, said Karen Maravilla, event coordinator. She said “A Tribute to A Christmas Story” is a fundraiser for the Downtown Hammond Council, a volunteer group helping to beautify and promote the downtown area.

“I, like so many others, have fond memories of coming to downtown (Hammond) as a kid,” Maravilla said. “It was sad that there wasn’t a Christmas event here for a long time … and a few things came together in 2008 with the 25th anniversary of the film to start this event. That year, it was just in the Towle Theater and was packed.”

“Each year, we’ve expanded and tweaked it; we are really excited about our plans this year, and about giving people another good reason to come downtown and visit, and see the progress being made here.”