Annual Leg-Lamp Lighting

Mayor George Doll started a new Northport tradition on Dec. 1, 2007 when he flipped the switch on a replica of the fish-netted leg lamp featured in the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story" in the window of

"This is definitely an annual event from now on," Mayor Doll said then, and it appears he was correct. 

This year will be the fourth. 

People generally gather around the display window of the hardware store at the corner of Main and School streets where  a version of the "major award" received in the holiday classic by "the old man," also known as the father of main character Ralphie Parker.

After filling out an endless stream of newspaper puzzle contests, Ralphie's father receives news that he is the winner of a "major award." It arrives in a large wooden crate with the word "fragile" stenciled on the side. He pronounces it "fragilay" and determines it must be Italian. He proudly displays it in the front living room window of the home, much to his wife's chagrin. Indeed, somehow the lamp ends up broken.

Perhaps for the occasion the hardware store will stock 200-shot Range Model air rifles and the event can include a Lifebuoy soap-eating contest, guests in bunny suits and a frozen lamp post-licking contest.