ALLENTOWN, Pa. – For decades, “Pip the Mouse” has been a holiday icon of the Lehigh Valley.

“The Mouse Before Christmas,” puppet show, starring Pip, will appear at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum for four days with two show times each day. The program will take place on Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 26-27 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., according to a news release from Lehigh County Historical Society.

Pip the Mouse debuted in a show window of Hess Brothers Department store in Allentown on Oct. 27, 1962, and proved more sensational than anyone could have imagined.

The puppet theater, with its famous show of “The Mouse Before Christmas” was created by Dr. George R. Creegan and his wife, along with the Bliss Company of New York. It tells the story of how a house mouse helped Santa deliver holiday gifts. Since 1962 this puppet show has been enjoyed by tens of thousands of Lehigh Valley children and out of state visitors.

The release says the forty-five-minute program emphasizes learning and personal values. In the first half of the show, Pip the Mouse comes out to greet the audience. He is interviewed by a staff member of the Museum with an ensuing discussion on the importance of being kind to people and animals.

Children in the audience are engaged through questions and ideas that allow some interaction directly with Pip through questions and answers, as Pip speaks directly to the audience.

Thomas the Tank Engine, a world icon, also offers entertainment on those dates in the Museum’s Thomas Room. Here, children can watch Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy travel the rails with an L-gauge model railroad layout operating in the Thomas Room, according to the release.

Children can color pictures of Thomas and enjoy other railroad activities. The Thomas Fun Room will be open Friday through Saturday, Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 26-27, 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., admission is included with your admission to the Heritage Museum and the Pip the Mouse show.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum is located at 432 W. Walnut Street in Allentown and includes over 35,000 three-dimensional objects, 3 million historical documents and more than 200,000+ vintage photographs.

Regular Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Regular admission is free to members and to under age 3. Non-members $10 adults, $3 children.

Parking is available in the rear of the Museum, on the street, and in nearby lots.

For more information visit The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum’s website.