The A to Z Family Guide to the Holidays

Back by popular demand is "Mommy's Little Piggy" mashed potato eating contest at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond which is part of "A Christmas Story Comes Home" exhibit and fesivities. The contest this year will take place this Saturday with registration at 10 a.m.

1206PIGGY

"Mommy's Little Piggy" mashed potato eating contest at the Indiana Welcome Center in 2011.

Grand venues

The Blue Dress Barn

borterwagner photography

Valerie and Tomas Medina, Three Oaks, Michigan

Little Ralphie Look-a-Like

Jace Janeczko, 5, of Lowell, dons Ralphie's pink bunny costume in homage to "A Christmas Story" at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond for the 2010 Christmas Story Festival. Auditions are being held this week in Chicago for a new national stage tour.

A little library time

Salina Ford, 2, listens to South Haven Library Youth Services Director Kathy Blackburn read "17 Kinds and 42 Elephants" during story time at the library.

A little library time

South Haven Library Youth Services Director Kathy Blackburn, center, reads "17 Kings and 42 Elephants" on Tuesday to preschoolers.

A little library time

Jane Geer, 2, pretends to be a lion Tuesday while fellow 2-year-old Salina Ford and South Haven Library Youth Services assistant Amanda Keoppen watch.

A little library time

South Haven Library Youth Services assistant Amanda Koeppen pretends to be a lion with a mask Tuesday while 2-year-olds Salina Ford, center, and Jane Geer participate in the library story time.

Do the mashed potato

Ian Petrella, left, who played Randy in the movie "A Christmas Story," judges the 8- to 12-year-old round of the Mommy's Little Piggy mashed potato-eating contest Sunday at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

Do the mashed potato

Nathan Culic, 7, of Crown Point, raises his hand after winning the 4- to 7-year-old round of the Mommy's Little Piggy mashed potato-eating contest Sunday at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.

Do the mashed potato

Rob Gruener, of New Buffalo, Mich., goes face first into a plate of mashed potatoes during the adult round of the Mommy's Little Piggy contest Sunday at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond.