When you reach a certain age, there are certain names you know, or at least remember, even if it was what your parents watched. With only four channels on TV, you remember any mention of a TV show, actor, musician, or comedian. Even if it was your parents' time, you had to watch what they watched, and so adults of a certain age have a memory that reaches farther back than their own years.

One of those names for me is Red Skelton.

Skelton was a star of radio, TV, and movies, and was born in Vincennes, Indiana in 1913.

And they'll let you know it too.

Every time I go to Vincennes (Knox County), there are signs proclaiming it as the birthplace of Red Skelton.

And now they're going on better: on Thursday, July 18th, they are celebrating the grand opening of the Red Skelton Museum. The Red Skelton Museum in Vincennes, Indiana (Knox County) The Red Skelton Museum in Vincennes, Indiana (Knox County) The celebration kicks off on the 18th at 5:30, with three different levels of tickets (more on that in a minute).

At 5:30, they'll have the ribbon cutting ceremony, and the museum will open for tours at 6:00, plus a cocktail reception with Lothian Skelton, Red's wife.

The birthday celebration and show starts at 7:30 in the Red Skelton Theater, with performances by Jamie Farr (Klinger from M*A*S*H), Red Skelton impersonator Tom Mullica, music by Sally Harmon and Frank Gruner, and Lothian.

It's Senior Day on Friday, July 19th, and anyone who is over 60 years old can get into the museum for free. And Saturday, July 20th is Family Day. All kids under 18 get in free when accompanied by a parent.

Tickets:

  • $30 – General Admission includes general seating and dessert reception after the show and self-guided tours of the museum throughout the evening.
  • $50 – Patron includes commemorative pin, priority seating and dessert reception after the show and self-guided tours of the museum throughout the evening.
  • $100 - VIP includes reception with appetizers and wine prior to the show, commemorative pin and premier seating and dessert reception after the show and self-guided tours of the museum throughout the evening.