FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE & MUSEUM HOSTS
A CHRISTMAS STORY CONVENTION IN CLEVELAND
“A Christmas Story” Convention to take place Nov. 26-27
CLEVELAND – Nov 1, 2010 – A Christmas Story House & Museum presents “A Christmas Story” Convention on Nov. 26-27 (Thanksgiving weekend) in Cleveland. The event features a reunion of actors from the movie and numerous other events related to the movie.
“A Christmas Story” 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 four 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) and rides on the original fire truck from the movie (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 seven of the original cast members, including Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Tedde Moore (Miss Shields), Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), Yano Anaya (Grover Dill), Patty Johnson (Head Elf) and Drew Hocevar (Male Elf)
· An after party cocktail reception with the cast members
· A live commentary as the movie plays about the production of A Christmas Story by actor Ian Petrella (Randy)
· The feature of a documentary: “The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” about the making of the movie and the phenomenon it has become
· Character look-a-like parade were fans dress up as their favorite “A Christmas Story” character to win a “Major Award” prize
· 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
“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” Convention,” including a schedule of events, hotel packages and convention tickets, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com.
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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. 24 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 $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 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.