'Little piggies' polish off potatoes in 'Christmas Story' contest

About 70 entrants got piggy for the holidays Saturday at the Indiana Welcome Center, imitating the famous Mommy's Little Piggy scene in the yule-tide comedy "A Christmas Story."

'Christmas Story' a downtown draw

Ron Jaki, left, and his son, Adam Jaki, of Gary, pose for a photograph with Santa during Saturday's A Tribute to "A Christmas Story" in downtown Hammond.

'Christmas Story' a downtown draw

Kaman Elston, 4, waits with his family to cross the street during A Tribute to "A Christmas Story" in downtown Hammond.

Keeping traditions, downtowns alive

Jacob Bell, 8, dressed as Ralphie, poses for a photograph on a firetruck during A Tribute to "A Christmas Story" in downtown Hammond earlier this month. The promotion is one of many in the area seeking to draw shoppers to local stores.

Christmas trees on display at Indiana Welcome Center

HAMMOND | As part of the annual ‘A Christmas Story’ Comes Home exhibit, 36 local businesses, non-profits and civic organizations will decorate Christmas trees for viewing at the Indiana Welcome Center.

Christmas Story Tribute

Participants of the Parker family look-a-like contest from 2011.

Last chance to see South Shore CVA's 'Christmas Story' exhibit

HAMMOND | The South Shore CVA is pleased to report that our "A Christmas Story" Comes Home exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center is less than 700 visitors away from breaking our past attendance records, and just short of our 2nd highest gift shop sales record.

The Christmas story, Calumet Region style

EDITOR'S NOTE: This tale was first told in this space in December, 1981.

Piggies race to down spuds in 'Christmas Story' contest

HAMMOND | On the word "go," 6-year-old Tessa Rodriguez's head shot down as she used her mouth to snap up the plate of mashed potatoes. But while eating, a hiccup put some of the food in her mouth back on the plate. That didn't matter to Tessa.

Christmas Story Tribute

People shop Saturday for memorabilia from "A Christmas Story." The Downtown Hammond Council presented the Hammond Holiday Kick-off Celebration, including a tribute to the film, along Hohman Avenue.

Christmas Story Tribute

Participants in the Parker family look-alike contest await a ruling by the judges Saturday in downtown Hammond. The Parkers were the featured family in "A Christmas Story." The Downtown Hammond Council presented the Hammond Holiday Kick-off Celebration along Hohman Avenue.

Gene on Jean

Gene Weygandt is playing Hammond native Jean Shepherd in the touring production of "A Christmas Story, The Musical!" which opens Dec. 14 at The Chicago Theatre.

Gene on Jean

Gene Weygandt is playing Hammond native Jean Shepherd in the touring production of "A Christmas Story, The Musical!" which opens at The Chicago Theatre on Dec. 14. Weygandt poses for a portrait in a rehearsal space at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago.

Gene on Jean

Gene Weygandt is playing Hammond native Jean Shepherd in the touring production of "A Christmas Story, The Musical!" which opens Dec. 14 at the Chicago Theatre.

CHICAGO SCENE: 'Christmas Story' musical comes to Chicago

The pink bunny suit. The triple-dog-dare. A boy's dream of a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.

School City of Hobart to host family night with movie Friday

HOBART | The School City of Hobart will present a holiday singalong and family movie night at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hobart High School Theater on 10th Street.

Advent looks back to Christ's first coming, ahead to second

My son recently told me he is boycotting a prominent retail store this holiday season because it already had set up its Christmas displays before Halloween.

It's Hohman, Ind. ... for a day

Hyles Anderson College students Lacy Hisler, left, and Andrea Hendershott sing carols as a horse carriage passes by at the Back to the Fifties event in downtown Hammond.

It's Hohman, Ind. ... for a day

Ray Bowlin, 11, of Hessville, reloads his gun at the Shoot Your Eye Out contest at Saturday's tribute to "A Christmas Story" in downtown Hammond.

It's Hohman, Ind. ... for a day

Zane Rayson, 7, of Hammond, points his Red Ryder at passers-by at Saturday's holiday celebration in downtown Hammond. Rayson participated in the Ralphie look-alike contest at the event which provided a tribute to the movie "A Christmas Story," based on Hammond author Jean Shepherd's work.