‘A Christmas Story’ fan expo: nostalgic deep-dive event celebrates 40th anniversary with a hint of mystery

CLEVELAND, Oh– The only thing “Ralphie” Parker ever wanted for Christmas was a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200 Shot Range Model air rifle.

Thanks to a huge cult following and never-to-be-underestimated nostalgia, Ralphie’s got a whole bunch of other presents to look forward to this weekend.

Maybe even a mortgage.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission is hosting “Behind the Camera: A Christmas Story – Official 40th Anniversary” November 10 – 12 at the Cleveland Public Auditorium.

The long-awaited reunion dubbed “Ralphie Comes Home” features the film’s lead actor Peter Billingsley, along with other cast members from the film, for a “Cast Expo” weekend filled with stories, memories, photos, and autograph opportunities.

The weekend also features a moderated panel discussion on Friday night, where Billingsley and company share stories from the making of the movie—which was partially filmed in Cleveland during the winter of 1983. That panel will be held in the adjacent Music Hall and requires a special admission ticket.

Details about the 40th Anniversary events can be found at clevelandfilm.com.

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“A Christmas Story” chronicles Ralphie’s life in the days leading up to Christmas, his many attempts and setbacks to secure the perfect holiday BB-gun gift and examines the peculiar familial characters in his childhood odyssey foibles.

The film was adapted from Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.”

While “A Christmas Story” launched to a tepid box office tally, it has gone on to become a cherished holiday classic with a counterculture all its own—thanks in large part to cable television—with A Christmas Story House & Museum and compound here in Cleveland serving as a major draw for fans both inside and outside the city.

The owners of the tourist attraction announced recently that “a deal for a change of ownership” had been made, according to a Facebook post. “We expect to have the agreement finalized by the end of November, at which time we will introduce the new owner,” the post said.

Speculation surrounding the cast’s desire to purchase the property from current owner Brian Jones has bubbled up again on social media around the weekend’s events, begging the question: will a change of ownership be announced at the moderated panel discussion?

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Jones for comment through the house/museum website. “No comment at this time,” was Jones’ reply. A similar inquiry and response came from the Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s event team.

No change of ownership has been filed with the Cuyahoga County Recorder’s Office as of press time; the three-parcel entry 008-14-005 is still listed as “A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE INC., OH.”

“Behind the Camera: A Christmas Story – Official 40th Anniversary” cast expo takes place from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12, in Public Auditorium, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland. Daily tickets for the expo are $20 for adults and children over 13, and $10 for kids ages 6-12. Kids under 5 are free. Weekend passes. Go to tixr.com to buy tickets. Additional charges for autographs and photo ops.

A behind-the-camera panel featuring Peter Billingsley and other cast members will be held in Music Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday. Tickets start at $20 and are available at tixr.com.

All proceeds benefit the film commission, which aims to attract jobs and economic development to the region via film and television productions.