![]() ![]() The whimsy of the Mascot Hall of Fame envelopes you before you even set foot through the doors. ![]() What is it about the Mascot Hall of Fame that could propel it to that level of prominence? Take a tour with us and find out what the fuzz…er fuss…is all about. Now that the Mascot Hall of Fame is open, Orestes Hernandez, MHOF Executive Director, has a bold vision of his own: “on the museum side, is to elevate us to a point where we’re considered one of the top ten children’s museums in the country…and on the Hall of Fame side, the character side, I want it to be considered on the same level and spoken about in the same sentence as Cooperstown and Canton, Ohio – the professional hall of fames.” “And now I have my answer, and it’s this amazing place that came from that original bold idea from the Mayor, that this was right for their city.” “Five years ago, I first got a call from the City of Whiting, and my first question was, ‘well, why Whiting?'” says Raymond. The Chicagoland town was already known for its popular annual Pierogi Festival and turned out to be the perfect quirky location for Raymond’s equally eccentric project. In reality, the dream of transforming the MHOF from an online-only organization to a brick-and-mortar museum happened during a serendipitous phone call between former Phillie Phanatic mascot, David Raymond, and Joe Stahura, Mayor of the City of Whiting, Indiana. The 25,000-square-foot attraction aims to engage, educate, and entertain fans, school groups and visitors through innovative, interactive, mascot-themed exhibits. Once welcomed into Whiting, Reggy was eager to give something back to the community, and thus, the Mascot Hall of Fame Interactive Children’s Museum (MHOF) was born. The mascot needed a town the town needed a mascot. There he met a local busia, who took him under her wing, recognized Reggy as a mascot in plain clothing, and convinced him to settle in Whiting. One day, Reggy heard about Whiting, Indiana - and in particular about the merriment and neighborly spirit of its Pierogi Fest - and visited incognito. Reggy was a mentor and friend to many fellow mascots, but he had no team or town of his own. Once upon a time, there was a Mascot named Reggy Funfurhuggin.Once upon a time, there was a Mascot named Reggy Funfurhuggin. Now that the Mascot Hall of Fame is open, Orestes Hernandez, MHOF Executive Director, has a bold vision of his own: “on the museum side, is to elevate us to a point where we’re considered one of the top ten children’s museums in the country…and on the Hall of Fame side, the character side, I want it to be considered on the same level and spoken about in the same sentence as Cooperstown and Canton, Ohio – the professional hall of fames.” “And now I have my answer, and it’s this amazing place that came from that original bold idea from the Mayor, that this was right for their city.” “Five years ago, I first got a call from the City of Whiting, and my first question was, ‘well, why Whiting?'” says Raymond. Hugging the building’s exterior is Reggy Funfurhuggin, a mascot created by Raymond specifically for the MHOF. In the adjoining plaza, cast figures of Hall of Fame inductees such as Mr.
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