The 77th Anniversary Celebration of It’s a Wonderful Life.
Welcome to Seneca Falls, the Real Bedford Falls! Each year, our town celebrates with an It's A Wonderful Life Festival the second weekend in December. But the Museum is open all year round.

Schedule:

Friday, December 8, 2023

9:00 a.m: Press Conference. It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall Street

9:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street

10:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum and Expanded Gift Shop; It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle. 76 Fall Street and 80 Fall Street

10:15 a.m: "Bread, Salt and Wine" Housewarming event in association with Habitat for Humanity and the actors from "It’s a Wonderful Life." 33 Taylor Ave., Waterloo, NY.

11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m: Autograph signing by Cast Members– Karolyn Grimes ("Zuzu Bailey"), Jimmy Hawkins ("Tommy Bailey") and Donald Collins ("Little Pete Bailey"). Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street

11:00 a.m: "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 Street

11:30 a.m: 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 Street

11:45 pm: "The Shop Around the Corner." Radio play featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

12:30 p.m: "Bedford Falls 1919 to 1945: A Closer Look at How the Town Grows Over the Decades." Presentation by author Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

1:30 p.m: Presentation by Mary Owen, Donna Reed’s daughter. "The Geisha Girl" - Groundbreaking episode of The Donna Reed Show featuring Umeki Miyoshi (the first East Asian American woman to receive an Academy Award for acting) will be shown. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

2:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m: Autograph signing by Cast Members Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins and Donald Collins. (Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself). The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street

2:30 p.m - 3:30 p.m: Presentation by Chloe Rosen, Mrs. New York 2023. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

2:30 p.m - 3:30 p.m: Autograph signing by Michael Willian, "The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life. A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film." Seneca Falls Heritage and Visitor Center, 89 Fall Street

3:30 p.m - 4:30 p.m: The Timeless Message of "It’s a Wonderful Life": Promoting the Value of Each Individual. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

3:30 p.m - 4:30 p.m: Autograph signing by Pamela McColl, author, "Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem. Seneca Heritage and Tourism Center, 89 Fall Street

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

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

6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m: Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges. Advance Tickets Required. Del Lago Resort, located off Exit 41, NY State Thruway.
 
Saturday. December 9, 2023

9:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street

9:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum and Expanded Gift Shop; It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle, 76 Fall Street and 80 Fall Street

9:30 a.m - 11:00 a.m: Autograph signing by Pamela McColl, author, "Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem. Seneca Heritage and Tourism Center, 89 Fall Street

10:00 a.m: 20th Annual George Bailey Award – Presented by Karolyn Grimes on behalf of the IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

10:30 a.m: Presentation by Monica Capra Hodges – Frank Capra’s granddaughter. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

11:30 a.m: "Emile ‘Emilio’ Kuri: His Remarkable Life." – A Film by John Kuri, son of Emile Kuri, Two-Time Oscar Recipient and Set Decorator for "It’s a Wonderful Life." Mr. Kuri will introduce his film and answer questions about his father’s work with Frank Capra, Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock, William Wyler, George Stevens, Cary Grant and many more. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

1:00 p.m: It’s a Wonderful Parade. Sponsored by the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival Committee. Fall Street.

1:30 p.m: "From Here to Eternity". Presentation by Mary Owen, daughter of Donna Reed, on her mother’s Academy Award winning performance in this 1953 film. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

2:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m: Autograph signing with Cast Members Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins and Donald Collins. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street

2:30 p.m: "Enduring Holiday Classics That Keep On Giving." Presentation by author Pamela McColl about why the iconic film It’s a Wonderful Life, celebrating its 77th Anniversary in 2023, and the ever-popular poem Twas The Night Before Christmas, turning 200 this year, have remained at the very heart of the holiday season generation after generation. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

3:30 p.m: The Shop Around the Corner." Radio play featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

4:40 p.m: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K.

6:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m: Dance Lesson by Groove Juice Swing (from Rochester). Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy Street

7:00 p.m - 9:15 p.m: Special Screening of "It’s a Wonderful Life." Free Admission. Douglas Avery Performing Arts Center, Mynderse Academy, 105 Troy Street

7:30 p.m - 10:30 p.m: "Dance by the Light of the Moon." Music by Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra (18-piece swing band). Free Admission. Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy Street
 
Sunday, December 10, 2023

8:30 a.m - 10:30 a.m: "A Toast to Karolyn" - Karolyn Grimes’ 21st Anniversary Celebration BreakfaStreet Arrive by 8:45 to secure your seat. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street Sold Out

9:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum and Expanded Gift Shop; It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle, 76 Fall Street and 80 Fall Street

11:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m: Autograph Signing with Cast Members Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins and Donald Collins. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street

11:00 a.m: "A Very Merry Christmas" – Classic episode of "The Donna Reed Show" featuring Buster Keaton. Introduced by Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter). Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

11:30 a.m: "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 Street

12:00 p.m: 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 Street

12:15 p.m: "Notes from Little Pete." Presentation by Donald Collins and Ronald Collins, the twins who played "Pete Bailey" as a baby. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

12:30 p.m: "Mr. Potter, Uncle Billy, and the Other Jimmy." Presentation on Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell and the "other Jimmy" by Sal. Street George, Sal Street George Living History Productions – Home of Celebrity Museums and Destinations. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

1:30 p.m: Presentation by Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

2:30 p.m: "Creating Bedford Falls" – Jimmy Hawkins ("Tommy Bailey") and John Kuri (Filmmaker, Son of Emile Kuri – the Set Decorator for "It’s a Wonderful Life"). Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

3:30 p.m: "The Bishop’s Wife" – Working with Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Presentation by Karolyn Grimes ("Zuzu Bailey"). Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street

4:15 p.m: 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 p.m: Shuttles start leaving The Gould Hotel for the Final Scene Dinner.

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

Date: December 8 - 10, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Seneca Falls, NY 13148

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