Join us for the 67th year of the Orak Shrine Circus at the Hammond Civic Center. This Thanksgiving week family tradition truly transcends the generations and runs Wednesday through Nov. 29. Tickets are on sale now at the Civic Center or Strack & Van Til's supermarkets for $12, $16 or $18 each, cash only. Call (219) 853-6378 for more details.

Tonight the Hammond Civic Center hosts Total Fight Challenge, a Mixed Martial Arts event. Tickets are available at the Civic Center box office or www.totalfightchallenge.com. Call (773) 582-9106 for information.

Don't forget all of the fun the Downtown Hammond Council has planned to kick off the holiday season and celebrate the movie depicting Hammond, "A Christmas Story." The excitement begins on Saturday with activities for the entire family in downtown Hammond at Hohman Avenue and Sibley Street. Check out www.downtownhammond.org for all the details. Also, the big exhibit of "A Christmas Story" is now open at the Indiana Welcome Center. This year, a big festival weekend is planned for Dec. 5 and 6. The child actors, Flick, little brother Randy, Scut, Grover and teacher Miss Shields will be the grand marshals of the Hammond holiday parade. After the parade, catch them at the Jean Shepherd Community Center for a pancake breakfast hosted by the Hammond Lions Club. A special autograph session takes place at the Indiana Welcome Center to top off the festivities. Call (219) 989-7770 or visit www.achristmasstorycomeshome.com for the schedule of events.

You absolutely cannot miss the annual Hammond holiday favorite, "A Fabulous ‘50s Christmas" at the Towle Theater from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29, Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 and Dec. 11 to Dec.13.

Tickets are $15 and going fast. Call (219) 937-8780 to make your reservation.

For more live theater, on Nov. 21, Beatniks on Conkey has its open mike night hosted by Jim Spivak; doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. This is your chance to tell a joke, recite poetry, sing or play a tune, or just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. Cost of admission is $6, which includes snacks and beverages. Also at Beatniks, mark your calendars for 7 p.m. Nov. 28 and 2 p.m. Nov. 29 when storyteller Grant Fitch will be presenting his one-man show of "The Christmas Carol."

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Beatniks is located at 418 Conkey St. in Hammond's historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Call (219) 852-0848 for reservations or visit www.beatniksonconkey.com.

The last day to register for Hammond Parks' Horseshoe Casino Bus Trip is Monday.

The cost is $15 and includes transportation, buffet lunch, four hours of gaming and $5 in free slot play. Must be 21 years or older. Dial (219) 853-6378.

Get your friends, neighbors and relatives out for the Hammond holiday parade at 10 a.m., Dec. 5, down Indianapolis Boulevard from 175th to 169th streets. Also, the WWE returns with Smack Down and ECW to the Hammond Civic Center on Jan. 23.

Tickets go on sale Dec. 5. Call (219) 853-6378 with questions.

Donna Muta is special events coordinator for the city of Hammond. Her opinions are her own. Contact her at mutad@gohammond.com.