Attend the 'Christmas Story' Convention, but Beware!

(Nov. 26) -- It's become one of the most beloved holiday exclamations, a gleeful cry of warmth and tenderness that evokes so many cups of hot chocolate around a cozy, stocking-draped fireplace: "You'll shoot yer eye out!"

In 1983, the movie "A Christmas Story" roughly elbowed its way into our Christmas consciousness. A nostalgic tale of longing, sentimentality and the harsh realities of Midwestern life in the 1940s, the comedy, based on the work of author Jean Shepherd, has become a must-watch-TV marathon classic.

Old-time radio, Ovaltine, school bullies and the want of an "Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle" are just some of the memorable touchstones of the film. But this holiday, you can do more than just watch it from your couch -- you can live it.

This Friday and Saturday will mark the fifth annual "A Christmas Story" Celebration and Convention, which takes place right where the story was partially filmed, in Cleveland, Ohio (though in the story is based in Hammond, Indiana). The event is being run by the "Christmas Story" House and Museum -- the actual home used in the film.

Opened over Thanksgiving weekend in 2006, the popular pop-culture landmark is a labor of love for Brian Jones, a devoted fan of the film who purchased the home in 2003 after it went up for auction on eBay. (At the time, he ran a business that sold re-creations of the infamous "Major Award" from the film -- a scandalous, sexy, black-stockinged "leg lamp" won by Ralphie Parker's dad.)

To date, more than 60,000 people have toured the house. Directly across the street from the house is the official "Christmas Story" House Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos.

Among the props and costumes are the toys from the Higbee's department store window, Randy's snowsuit and toy zeppelin that he received Christmas morning, the chalkboard from Miss Shields' classroom and the Parker family car.

Steve Siedlecki, the house and museum's executive director, said he expects about 3,000 people over the holiday weekend for the convention.

"We have dozens of incredible events planned for fans of this holiday classic," Siedlecki told AOL News. "It will be our biggest convention yet, including rides on the firetruck that came to the rescue in Flick's famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene, meet-and-greets with many of the stars from the film and lots of other 'Christmas Story' surprises."

Specifically, convention attendees can expect appearances by seven original-cast members (Flick, Scut Farkus, Randy, Grover Dill, Miss Shields and the two evil elves), a BB gun range in the backyard of the house, a downtown tree-lighting ceremony and much more.

The convention will take place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and coincide with Cleveland's Winterfest, with frequent shuttles to the museum for special tours and activities.

Also, for anyone visiting the "Christmas Story" House and Museum during the end of November and through December, a special guest will be in attendance.
"Ian Petrella, who played younger son Randy in the film, will actually be living here at the house through the holidays, so anyone who shows up for a tour will be able to chat with him and get autographs," Siedlecki said.

For more information on tickets, visit here.

And if you go, just watch out for Farkus and his "crummy little toadie," Grover Dill.