The Harrison family of Hammond eats only a certain type of mashed potato during family dinners, and that specially seasoned table staple is made only at a local grocery store delicatessen.
As luck would have it, that exact food item was offered as the focal point during the recent Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest held at the Indiana Welcome Center. The competition was sponsored by the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority.
“The goal today is not to move around as many mashed potatoes on the plate as you can, or to get them on your face,” Speros Batistatos, visitors authority president and CEO, said as he greeted the contenders and the audience. “The goal is to see how much you can actually eat.”
The yearly contest is a fun replay of a scene in the classic holiday movie, “A Christmas Story,” written by Hammond native Jean Shepherd. The actor who plays Ralphie’s younger brother Randy in the story eats his plate of mashed potatoes hands-free, as his mother calls him “my little piggy.”
Although 72 participants were registered for the four age groups — children ages 4-7, 8-12, 13-17, and those 18 and older — additional eaters were added as walk-ins.
“It’s not unusual that more people want to join the fun once they get here,” volunteer Jennifer Rush said as she manned the sign-in table. “We usually have a few dozen more who sign up.”
Janet Ramsey attended with her daughter Julie Montealegre of Highland, and three of her grandchildren. Although the grandchildren were registered for the eating competition, Ramsey and her daughter were not.
“We wanted to surprise the kids, so we registered once we got here,” Ramsey said. “We wanted to show them that the adults can have fun too.”
Contestants in all categories kept their hands under the table until the bell sounded, and then hands could be used only to hold the plate.
Local grocer Strack & Van Til provided the mashed potatoes that were served at the proper temperature — not too hot or not too cold.
“I wonder how they do that (correct temperature),” said Lynda Kristos of Merrillville, as she watched her niece take the stage with the 4- to 7-year-old group. “But I guess if they taste good, the kids will eat them no mater what.”
The younger groups were judged on the time taken to consume one helping (ice-cream scoop size) of mashed potatoes — sans hands.
Adults were presented with a plate containing two ice-cream scoops of potatoes, replaced as they consumed each plate. The moderator chose the winner in this category based on total amount of platefuls eaten.
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Participating in the annual Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest has become a must-do for some families, as well as entering the other contests held in honor of “A Christmas Story.”
“We tried the O’Fudge Race last year and had a blast, but everyone was too busy this year to do it,” Joe Pennington of Hammond said as he cheered on the eating contestants. “The kids were so disappointed, so we’ll definitely register for it next year. Doing things together is giving us some great memories.”
Developed eight years ago, Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest has grown.
The “Christmas Story” event staged each December at the Indiana Welcome Center also includes animated scenes from the movie, an iconic story of a 1940s childhood. The event involves hundreds of visitors each year.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.