This Unique Holiday Exhibit In Indiana Is Themed After Every Hoosier's Favorite Christmas Movie
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published December 04, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Every Hoosier knows the best Christmas movie is “A Christmas Story.” It takes place in a fictional Indiana town and properly represents the life of many who grew up here.
This holiday season, there is a special exhibit in Hammond, Indiana that will feature attractions themed after this iconic film. You won’t want to miss it. Scroll on for more details.
The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond, Indiana is a magnificent structure that is so much more than a place to stretch your legs. On any average day, you'll find brochures, vending machines, a gift shop, and picnic areas, but there's something extra special going on there this time of year.
Inside the welcome center is a 6,500 square-foot exhibit hall that features different shows throughout the year. This holiday season, guests can experience the "A Christmas Story" Comes Home exhibit through the end of the year.
This unique attraction features six animated window scenes from Macy's Department Store in New York that capture scenes from the best Christmas movie ever made. You'll get to look into the Parkers' living room and witness recreations of the most iconic scenes.
One of the most iconic holiday films ever made, "A Christmas Story" is based on Jean Shepherd's collection of short stories. The tales are set in a make-believe town in Indiana that is modeled after Hammond, the town in which the writer grew up.
Shepherd's book was called "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," and he wrote the movie, as well, with help from Bob Clark and Leigh Brown. He even has a cameo in the scene in the department store.
Special events take place throughout the season to accompany this exhibit. Additional attractions may include train rides, carriage rides, a holiday market, eating contests, races, cookie decorating, scavenger hunts, pictures with Santa, bingo, and special screenings of the best Christmas movie ever.
Holiday decorations abound at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. Even native Hoosiers will find excitement and learn something new at this unique place.
Through December 23, 2018, the exhibit will be open Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Saturdays and Sundays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Though it is closed on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with regular hours the day after. On New Year's Eve, the final day for the exhibit, it will only be open between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Indiana Welcome Center is located at 7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, IN 46323, and you can get more information about this special exhibit on its website or Facebook page.
