The 76th Anniversary Celebration of "It's a Wonderful Life"

Schedule of Events

December 9, 2022

11:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:00-4:00 pm: Autograph Signing by Cast Members from "It's a Wonderful Life at The Gould Hotel.
(Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself).

9:00 am: The Bells of the Real Bedford Falls Ring in Honor of Karolyn Grimes' heralding the good news that she has returned home. Gather in front of the It's a Wonderful Life Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

9:00 am: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Karolyn Grimes' first visit to Seneca Falls and Launch of the 100th Anniversary Time Capsule with cast members from "It's a Wonderful Life." Add a comment to the Time Capsule about what "It's a Wonderful Life" means to you. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall Street.

9:00 am-4:00 pm: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.

9:00 am-4:30 pm: Visit the It's a Wonderful Life Museum. 76 Fall Street.

10:00 am: "The Real Bedford Falls – It's a Wonderful Life." Emmy-award winning documentary co-produced and co-directed by Francis DiClemente and Stu Lisson on the history of the connections between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. Features actors from "It's a Wonderful Life," film historians and local residents. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

10:00 am-4:30 pm: "Henry & Jimmy, A Lifelong Friendship." An exhibit on loan from the Jimmy Stewart Museum chronicles the friendship between Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:00 am-4:30 pm: It's a Wonderful Quilt Raffle. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:00 am-4:30 pm: "Victoria's Voice" — The Journal of Victoria "Rikki" Siegel. Information provided by the Victoria's Voice Foundation. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

10:30 am: Presentation by Elizabeth Kress, granddaughter of Elisabetta Varacalli Palandro, the sister of Antonio Varacalli, who lost his life while saving Ruth Dunham who jumpted from the Bridge St. Bridge in 1917. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

11:00 am: "You are Now in Bedford Falls: The Secrets Behind Why Bedford Falls Looks and Feels Like a Real Place." Presentation by author Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

11:00 am-1:00 pm: Autograph Signing by Cast Members. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel.

11:00 am-1:00 pm: Mary Owen (Donna Reed's daughter) and the Donna Reed Foundation. Information and Items for Sale. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

12:00 noon: Video tour by Brian Rohan of locations in Los Angeles County where "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed including: The Martini House; Stage 14/Culver City Studios; Site of the RKO Ranch; and Beverly Hills High School. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

12:15 pm: "In His Own Words: Frank Capra on ‘It's a Wonderful Life.'" Presentation by Harold Buccholz. An Executive Producer and Writer for Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Netflix) and former Senior Vice President at Archie Comics, Harold Buccholz has taught college film classes and writes and draws the comic strip Sweetest Beasts on Instagram. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

12:30-2:30 pm: Book Signing, Michael Willian: "The Essential It's a Wonderful Life — A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film." IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

1:00 pm: Pioneering episode of The Donna Reed Show, introduced by Mary Owen (Donna Reed's daughter). "The Big League Shock" (1965) addresses the stress and pressures felt by college students. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

1:30 pm: "Victoria's Voice." Presentation by Shalyn Ford, Mrs. World 2022, representing the Victoria's Voice Foundation. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

2:00 pm: Special Presentation: Frank Capra and the Timeless Message of "It's a Wonderful Life" — "Never Again Will There Be Anyone Like You." Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by Cast Members. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.

2:30-4:00 pm: The Timeless Message of "It's a Wonderful Life": Promoting the Value of Each Individual. Panel discussion organized in association with the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St

4:00 pm: Special Appearance by Karolyn Grimes. Trinity Church.

4:30 pm: Registration and Silent Auction start at Del Lago Resort, prior to the Preview Dinner.

5:00 pm: Shuttles start leaving The Gould Hotel for the Preview Dinner.

6:00-9:00 pm: Frank Capra's Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges. Program includes a tribute to Frank Capra and a special screening of footage from the Picnic/Wrap Party for "It's a Wonderful Life" provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Presentation of the Mensch Award to the Seneca Falls It's a Wonderful Life Museum, Donna Reed (accepted by Mary Owen), and Jimmy Stewart (recorded acceptance by his daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt). Advance Tickets Required. Del Lago Resort, located right off Exit 41, NY State Thruway.

December 10, 2022

11:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:00-4:00 pm: Autograph Signing by Cast Members from "It's a Wonderful Life at The Gould Hotel.
(Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself).
 
7:30 am-11:00 am: It's a Wonderful Breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, o.j., coffee. Tickets $10 at the door. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

9:00 am-4:30 pm: Visit the It's a Wonderful Life Museum. 76 Fall Street.

9:00 am-Noon: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office.

10:00 am: 19th Annual George Bailey Award – Presented by Karolyn Grimes on behalf of the IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity. Trinity Church.

10:45 am: Presentation by Monica Capra Hodges – Frank Capra's granddaughter. Trinity Church.

11:45 am: Presentation by Mary Owen – Donna Reed's daughter. Trinity Church.

1:00 pm: It's a Wonderful Parade. Sponsored by the It's a Wonderful Life Festival Committee. Fall Street.

1:30 pm: "The Anatomy of a ‘Wonderful' TV Special" – Introduction and insights by Executive Producer Jimmy Hawkins into the 25th Anniversary Presentation of "Merry Christmas, George Bailey" – taped at the Pasadena Playhouse and shown on PBS in 1997. Trinity Church.

2:00 pm: 25th Anniversary Presentation of "Merry Christmas, George Bailey" Radio Play taped at the historic Pasadena Playhouse and shown on PBS in 1997. Featuring Bill Pullman as George Bailey, Sally Field as Ma Bailey, Nathan Lane as Clarence, Penelope Ann Miller as Mary Bailey, Jerry Van Dyke as Uncle Billy, Robert Guillaume as Mr. Gower, Martin Landau as Pa Bailey, and Casey Kasem as the radio announcer. Trinity Church.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by Cast Members. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself.) The Gould Hotel.

2:00-4:00 pm: Mary Owen (Donna Reed's daughter) and the Donna Reed Foundation. Information and Items for sale. IAWL Museum Extension, 32 Fall St.

3:00 pm: "The Shop Around the Corner." Radio play featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church.

3:30 pm: Video tour by Brian Rohan of locations in Los Angeles County where "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed including: The Martini House; Stage 14/Culver City Studios; Site of the RKO Ranch; and Beverly Hills High School. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

3:40 pm: The Real Bedford Falls – It's a Wonderful Life. Emmy-award winning documentary on the connections between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. Features actors from "It's a Wonderful Life," film historians and local residents. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.

4:40 pm: It's a Wonderful Run 5K. To register, see https://itsawonderfulrun5k.com/register/

6:30-7:30 pm: Dance Lesson by Groove Juice Swing (from Rochester). Mynderse Academy Gymnasium.

7:00-9:15 pm: Special Screening of "It's a Wonderful Life." Free Admission. Douglas Avery Performing Arts Center, Mynderse Academy.

7:30-10:30 pm: "Dance by the Light of the Moon." Music by Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra (18-piece swing band). Special Guest: Casey McDonald singing Sinatra. Free Admission. Mynderse Academy Gymnasium.

December 11, 2022

11:00 am-2:00 pm: Autograph Signing by Cast Members from "It's a Wonderful Life at The Gould Hotel.
(Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself).
 
8:00-11:30 am: Pancake breakfast by the United Way. Tickets at the door. Seneca Falls Community Center, 35 Water St.

8:30-10:30 am: "A Toast to Karolyn . . ." — Karolyn Grimes' 20th Anniversary Celebration Breakfast. Special Program. The Gould Hotel.

9:00 am-4:30 pm: Visit the It's a Wonderful Life Museum. 76 Fall Street.

11:00 am: "A Very Merry Christmas" – Classic episode of "The Donna Reed Show" featuring Buster Keaton. Introduced by Mary Owen (Donna Reed's daughter). Trinity Church.

11:00 am-2:00 pm: Autograph Signing. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel.

11:30 am: "Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls . . . and Pottersville: A Closer Look at the Film's Epic Final Day." Presentation by author Michael Willian. Trinity Church.

12:15 pm: Carol Coombs ("Janie Bailey") — Videotaped Interview from the 65th Anniversary Celebration. Trinity Church.

12:30 pm: "It was a Wonderful Decade." Presentation by Michael Chapin ("Young George's Friend/The Kid on the Shovel") on his career as a young actor. Michael's sister Lauren Chapin, well known for her role as Kathy in "Father Knows Best," will be a special guest and participate in his presentation at Trinity Church.

1:30 pm: "Notes from Little Pete." Presentation by Donald & Ronald Collins, the twins who played "Pete Bailey" as a baby. Trinity Church.

2:00 pm: "Recollections of Frank Capra & ‘It's a Wonderful Life.'" The acceptance speech of Virginia Patton Moss ("Ruth Dakin Bailey") when she received the Spirit of Christamases Past, Present & Future Award in 2013 from the St. Nicholas Institute. Shown courtesy of Father Joseph Marquis & the St. Nicholas Institute. Trinity Church.

2:30 pm: "Elvis and Me — The Behind the Scenes Elvis."Presentation by Jimmy Hawkins ("Tommy Bailey"), Elvis' co-star in Girl Happy & Spinout. Trinity Church.

3:15 pm: "Little Miss Karolyn." Presentation by Karolyn Grimes ("Zuzu Bailey") about working with Cary Grant, Bing Crosby and John Wayne. Trinity Church.

3:45 pm: Jeanine Roose ("Young Violet Bick"): "‘It's a Wonderful Life' — A Longing to Return Home." Videotaped interview excerpt from 2020. Trinity Church.

3:50 pm: Karolyn Grimes and Jimmy Hawkins: "Remembering Jeanine Roose (‘Young Violet')."

4:15 pm: The Bells of the Real Bedford Falls. Gather at 32 Fall Street across from Trinity Church to hear the bells ring throughout town in honor of those who have impacted our lives.

4:30 pm: Shuttles start leaving The Gould Hotel for the Final Scene Dinner.

6:00-9:00 pm: "For Auld Lang Syne – The Final Scene Dinner." Seneca Falls Country Club.

Date: December 9-11, 2022

Location: Various Venues in Seneca Falls, NY 13148

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