When Jeremy Langer of Hammond recently convinced his parents to take him to see Santa Claus at the Indiana Welcome Center, he had no idea he would have the opportunity to eat mashed potatoes for breakfast.
‘I wondered why all these people were streaming into the auditorium,” said mom Jeannie Langer, as the family perused the many decorated trees while waiting for Santa to arrive. “We found out that the Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest was going on.”
The annual event is in its eighth year, and is one of many contests offered during the, “A Christmas Story Comes Home” exhibition sponsored by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, at the Welcome Center.
Randy — one of the characters in popular holiday movie “A Christmas Story”, written by Hammond native Jean Shepherd — is encourged to eat his mashed potatoes in a messy manner by his mother.
Four age groups vied for a chance to win a trophy with a Ralphie bobblehead. Younger contestants were monitored by a three-minute timer as they tried to consume scoops of mashed potatoes on their plate.
In the adult category, the winner was based on how many scoops of mashed potatoes they can eat in a three-minute time period.
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“My granddaughter Emma was registered in her age category and we came here to support her,” said Ralph Furman of Hammond. “She convinced me to sign up too when we got here.”
Grandpa was glad he did, because he won in the adult category, taking home the coveted trophy and a gift card from Strack and Van Til.
Strack and Van Til also donated the many pounds of mashed potatoes used in the competition. The spuds arrived in insulated boxes to keep them warm, according to Andrea Riveria, one of the servers.
Chuck Anderson of Griffith was in the audience cheering on his two grandchildren Isabella, 11, and Gabe, 8.
“This is an exciting, fun contest for them” he said. “This gets the whole family involved.”
Frank Johnson of Munster also yelled out support for his grandchildren Jerry, 7 and Jolene, 6, as they downed their mashed potatoes.
“My Christmas Story film has been through three generations,” he said, with a laugh. “There’s never been a story told like this film does, especially for those of us who grew up in Hammond.”
The emcee for the event was Speros Batistatos, president/CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, who kept a close eye on the participants and made sure the plates of potatoes kept flowing.
He believes the continued popularity of the Welcome Center exhibit and various contests is due to people identifying in a personal way with the film.
“This movie is iconic, a classic that reflects family values,” he said, during an intermission in the contest. “That’s what we’re all about. Everything we do is for families.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
Mommy’s Little Piggy Eating Contest winners
4-7 age group – Beau Bliss
8-12 age group – Cesar Vargas
13-17 age group – Brandon Bacerra
Adult – Ralph Furman