This is a special year for us at the South Shore CVA, as it's our tenth year displaying the iconic "A Christmas Story" display windows for "A Christmas Story" Comes Home! Six displays have turned into seven, we've added a life-size bronze statue of "Flick" stuck to a flag pole and added a number of activities for kids to enjoy!

Visitors view the Santa's Mountain scene at the Indiana Welcome Center.

If you haven't visited "A Christmas Story" Comes Home, you're missing out. This exhibit is completely free and open from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31 There's plenty of time to add it to your holiday to-do list.

Whether it's your first time visiting or you're returning for the second, third or even tenth time here's what you need to know:

Santa! You can't have Christmas without the man in the big red suit. Our Santa is special because:

  1. He sits atop a replica of Santa's Mountain in the movie. Complete with a red slide and a pillow of snow for the littles.
  2. He makes a special trip with his reindeer on select Wednesday nights to visit with your pets! Yes! Wag your Tail Wednesdays are dedicated to our furry friends with proceeds benefiting local animal rescues.
  3. He is jolly!
  4. He visits the Welcome Center every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas (See a schedule HERE).

Visit with Santa atop Santa's Mountain and slide into a pillow of snow.

Seven Scenes from the Holiday Movie Most of us have seen "A Christmas Story," and probably more than a dozen times. It's iconic, it's a staple and it plays for 24 hours leading up to Christmas. The Indiana Welcome Center transforms into our very own Cleveland Street depicting animated scenes from the movie. Six scenes are displayed at the Welcome Center and will have you reliving the movie as you stroll through the exhibit:

Higbee's Department Store - Ralphie Parker and his friends gaze at the Higbee's holiday window display showcasing the season's must-have toys. The holy grail of Christmas gifts, the Red Ryder BB gun, is held by Red Ryder himself in the cutout in the scene.

A Hero's Dream - Ralphie dreams of saving his family from Black Bart and his gang of villains with his trusty Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle in hand. 

Flick's Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare - Flick exclaims, "Stuck, Stuck, Stuck!" after Schwartz triple dog dares him to stick his tongue to the frozen flagpole. Firemen and police officers help Ms. Shields retrieve Flick.

A Major Award - The Old Man shows off his major award in the front window of the Parker home. The glowing leg lamp was his “Major Award” after winning a contest.

Santa's Mountain - A visit to Santa at Higbee's Department Store is Ralphie's last chance to ask for a Red Ryder BB Gun. When asked, Santa replies with the infamous line, "You'll Shoot your eye out, kid."

The Bumpus Hounds - The hillbilly neighbors' dogs destroy the Parker's Christmas dinner, leaving the family with no turkey, no turkey sandwiches, no turkey salad and no turkey hash.

Special Events A Major Event & Holiday Market - Traditionally, this is our kick-off to the holiday season. A Major Event is held on Dec. 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the Holiday Market is on Dec. 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Kids can enjoy train rides, sweet treats, the movie, "A Christmas Story" and visits with Santa while parents can start on their holiday shopping at the pop-up market that features local vendors and special and unique items.

Holiday for Heroes - This event is exclusively for our first-responders (police, fire, EMS, Hoosier Helpers and retired and active military) on Dec. 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Families can enjoy the exhibit, visit with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. First-responders are asked to show their IDs at the front desk upon arrival.

Oh Fuuudge! Relay Race - Parent and child teams race the clock to "change" a tire and run through an obstacle course. Winners receive special prizes, and of course bragging rights!

Mommy's Little Piggy Mashed Potato Eating Contest - Without using their hands, contestants scarf down mashed potatoes to see who can eat theirs the fastest. Prizes are given to winners in each category.

"A Christmas Story" Comes Home hosts a variety of special events.

Leg Lamps and more! No house is complete without their very own leg lamp to display in their home! Pick up a leg lamp (desk or regular sized) or a number of other "A Christmas Story" themed items in the Gift Shop.

There's plenty to keep you busy at the Indiana Welcome Center. For more details visit www.achristmasstorycomeshome.com. The Welcome Center is conveniently off of I-80/94 & Kennedy Avenue South in Hammond; about 20 minutes from Chicago and 2 hours from Indianapolis.