See the Higbee window at 100 Public Square in Cleveland.

It’s that time of year again. A Christmas Story fever is taking hold. The slice-of-Americana, cult classic holiday film that runs over and over again every year is popping up all over the place. Little Orphan Annie decoder rings, Life Bouy soap and “major awards” of all sizes (leg lamp nightlights, leg lamp decorative light strings, leg lamp desk lamps, leg lamp ornaments) abound–especially in Cleveland. You see, much of that lovable little flick was filmed here in Cleveland. Remember Black Bart sneaking off through the Ralphie’s yard or the “glow of sex” in the window of that unassuming little Parker house on Cleveland street? Well, that stuff was all shot here. 

My office is on the first floor of the Higbee Building, a former downtown Cleveland department store where, in the movie, Ralphie visited Santa to make his big plea for a much-coveted Red Ryder BB gun with the compass in the stock and this “thing” that tells time. One of my coworkers, Mark, remembers being a young extra in the Santa scene. His father was a higher up for the department store at the time and he has treasured snapshots of him in period attire. This year, Positively Cleveland (the area’s convention and visitors bureau) commemorated the building’s role in the Christmas movie with a pretty elaborate display in the front corner window on Public Square. And, we’re working with the Plain Dealer to give away “A Christmas Story” prizes to the winners of a 400-word “What I want for Christmas” essay contest. We have a couple hundred entries to-date and are hoping for some really original stuff.

Why is this Ohio city so crazy for A Christmas Story? Well, leg lamp entrepreneur Brian Jones bought the house where the movie was shot in the Tremont neighborhood, restored it to movie glory and opened it to the public as the A Christmas Story House and Museum. You can tour the house, see some costumes and other memorabilia in the small museum across the street and pick up some cool kitsch to commemorate your trip. And this year, which is the 25th anniversary of this beloved celluloid tale, actors from the film are participing in the WinterFest parade (a lighting ceremony the weekend after Thanksgiving) AND you can bid on ebay to win the ultimate fan package. Why, it’s more fun than sticking your tongue to a flagpole. –Sam Fryberger, Dir. of Communications