THE FIRST “A CHRISTMAS STORY” CONVENTION
SET FOR THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 2007
The first “A Christmas Story” Convention will take place Nov. 23 & 24 in Cleveland. Actors from “A Christmas Story” who played Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields and the evil elves will be on hand to meet and greet fans. Convention events include a Chinese turkey dinner, tours of A Christmas Story House, a BB gun range in the backyard of the house, a Ralphie look-a-like contest, screenings of the movie, Winterfest fireworks and parade, and much more.
CONVENTION SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOV. 23, 2007
10 AM – 5 PMActors from “A Christmas Story” to meet and greet fans and sign autographs at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
10 AM – 5 PMA Christmas Story House and Museum open with BB gun range in the house’s backyard.
2 PMUnveiling of the Parker family car that caused Ralphie’s “Oh, fudge” incident takes place at A Christmas Story House. The car is a 1937 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan.
7 PMChinese turkey dinner at C&Y Chinese Restaurant with movie actors. Dinner tickets are $45 per person and available for purchase by visiting and clicking on “Dinner with A Christmas Story Cast.”
SATURDAY, NOV. 24, 2007
A CHRISTMAS STORY CONVENTION SCHEDULE - 2
10 AMA Christmas Story House and Museum open with extended hours and BB gun range in the house’s backyard.
10 AMFirst Lolly the Trolley trip departs from Renaissance Cleveland Hotel for A Christmas Story House. Trolley departs every half hour. Round-trip trolley tickets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Children.
10 AMFirst Lolly the Trolley shuttle departs from Clark Fields.Round-trip shuttle tickets are $1 per person.
10 AM – 12 PMActors from “A Christmas Story” to meet and greet fans and sign autographs at Renaissance Cleveland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. This exclusive session is open to hotel guests only.
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12 PM – 1 PMSpeaker session at Renaissance Cleveland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Guest speakers include: Brian Jones, owner of A Christmas Story; Bruce Campbell, vice president of Higbee's Department Store during the filming of “A Christmas Story;” and Don Hultzman, original owner of toys used in Higbee’s window scene.
1 PM – 10 PMActors from “A Christmas Story” to meet and greet fans and sign autographs at Renaissance Cleveland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. This meet-and-greet session isopen to the general public.
3 PMUnveiling of the original movie prop chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom by Tedde Moore (who portrayed Miss Shields) at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The chalkboard was rescued this past year from VictoriaSchool in St. Catharines, Ontario, just before the school was converted into a women’s shelter. The chalkboard is being donated to the museum by Tyler Schwartz, a fan of the film from Oakville, Ontario.
4 PMCharacter look-a-like contest. Come dressed as your favorite “A Christmas Story” character for a chance to win a leg lamp and other prizes. Contest to be judged by Ian Petrella (Randy Parker).
5 PMLast Lolly the Trolley trip departs from A Christmas Story House for Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.Actors recess from meet and greet to appear in Winterfest parade.
6:30 PMWinterfest tree-lighting ceremony, parade featuring A Christmas Story cast and fireworks show on Public Square just outside the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Actors to meet and greet fans back at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel after the end of the parade
8 PMA Christmas Story House and Museum close for the day.
10 PMActors meet and greet session closes for the day.
SUNDAY, NOV. 25, 2007
12 PM – 5 PMA Christmas Story House and Museum open.
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