FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“A Christmas Story” 25th Anniversary Celebration & Convention
to take place Nov. 28-29
CLEVELAND – Oct. 15, 2008 – The beloved holiday classic and family-favorite film “A Christmas Story” celebrates its 25th anniversary this November. To mark this special milestone, A Christmas Story House & Museum presents “A Christmas Story” 25th Anniversary Celebration & Convention on Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend) in Cleveland. The event features a reunion of actors from the movie.
“A Christmas Story” 25th Anniversary Celebration & Convention will bring “A Christmas Story” fans (known as Ralphies) to Cleveland where many exterior scenes of the movie were filmed. Cleveland is also the location of A Christmas Story House, the home featured in the film that was restored to its original movie appearance and opened to visitors Thanksgiving weekend two years ago. In addition to the Parker family home, guests can tour the museum to see original movie props and costumes, including Randy’s “I-can’t-get-my-arms-down” snowsuit, and visit the gift shop to take home their own major award (a leg lamp) and other movie-related items.
The majority of convention events will take place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Other activities, like taking your best shot at the BB gun range (weather permitting), will occur at A Christmas Story House. The celebration and convention coincides with Winterfest, an annual festival that kicks off the holiday season in Cleveland.
Highlights of this year’s convention include:
· Appearances by eight of the original cast members, including Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Tedde Moore (Miss Shields), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), Yano Anaya (Grover Dill), Dwayne McLean (Black Bart), Patty Johnson (Head Elf) and Drew Hocevar (Male Elf)
· The premiere of two documentaries: “ClarkWORLD” about the life and works of “A Christmas Story” director Bob Clark and “Road Trip for Ralphie’” about the forgotten locations, memorabilia, and facts of “A Christmas Story”
· Rides in the original fire truck used in the movie from Flick’s famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene with proceeds benefiting the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Department of Niagara Falls, Ontario, which owns and maintains the fire truck
· The unveiling of newly acquired costumes from the film, including those worn by the Parker family on Christmas morning
· The first public display of two Genie Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars) won by “A Christmas Story” for Best Achievement in Direction and Best Screenplay on loan from Clark’s estate
· A special preview of the upcoming “A Christmas Story – The Musical”
Brian Jones, owner of A Christmas Story House, encourages all fans to come to this quarter-century celebration since future conventions may not occur on an annual basis. “After four years of consecutive conventions, A Christmas Story House & Museum is going to take a couple years break from hosting ‘A Christmas Story’ Convention,” Jones said. “This will be your last chance for awhile to see the actors and revel in the all the events of the convention weekend. We have pulled out all the stops to make this year’s convention that much more memorable.”
“A Christmas Story” premiered around Thanksgiving of 1983. It starred the late Darren McGavin as The Old Man and Peter Billingsley as Ralphie who famously pleaded for a Red Ryder BB gun, although everyone assured him he would only shoot his eye out. The film became a holiday favorite years after its theatrical release and is celebrated annually on cable with a daylong marathon.
For more information on “A Christmas Story” 25th Anniversary Celebration & Convention,” including a schedule of events, hotel packages and convention tickets, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com.
A Christmas Story House & Museum is located just five minutes from downtown Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th St. in the Tremont neighborhood. It is open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. From Nov. 26 through Dec. 31, the house is also open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours of the house run every 30 minutes. Regular admission tickets are $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children (ages 7 to 12) and free for children ages 6 and under. For more information or for directions, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com or call 216-298-4919.
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