2019 It’s a Wonderful Life Festival
December 13, 14 and 15, 2019
Schedule of Appearances by the Actors from “It’s a Wonderful Life”
& Other Guest Speakers
See www.therealbedfordfalls.com for full schedule
Friday, December 13:
9:00 am — 5:00 pm: Bedford Falls Station Holiday Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street.
9:00 am: “Zuzu, my little Gingersnap.” Presentation by Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey). “Zuzu’s Gingersnaps” will be available. Bee’s Café.
10:00 am: “Bread, Salt & Wine” Housewarming with actors from the film in association with Habitat for Humanity, 58 E. Bayard St.
10:00 am — 4:00 pm: The Ultimate It’s a Wonderful Life Christmas Tree — Brought in from California! Full Circle Chiropractic, 28 Fall St. (next to the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum)
11:00 am: “From the Historic 1913 Seneca Theatre to The Most Inspiring Film of All Time: Envisioning the Expansion of The Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 2:00 pm: Book signing by Author Michael Willian (The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life: A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film). It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 4:00 pm: Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life sign autographs. Items for sale include autograph. Fee for items you bring yourself. Old Library (across from It’s a Wonderful Life Museum), 31 Fall St.
12:00 noon: “Shocking Collisions in Stephan’s Quintet.” Presentation by Dr. Judith Pipher, astrophysicist, Professor Emerita of Astronomy, University of Rochester; 2007 Inductee, National Women’s Hall of Fame. (Stephan’s Quintet is the group of five galaxies represented in the beginning of It’s a Wonderful Life). Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 pm: “Directed to the Stars: Frank Capra’s Image for Heaven in It’s a Wonderful Life.” Presentation by Rev. David J. Ross (astronomy enthusiast, Canton, Ohio). Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 pm: “Strolling Down Memory Lane.” Presentation by Dr. Jeanine Roose (“Young Violet Bick”). Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
3:00 pm: “Donna Reed and Me, A Wonderful Lifelong Friendship.” Presentation by Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”). Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
4:00 pm: “A Powerful Message of Unity, Forgiveness and Love: Reflections on It’s a Wonderful Life from men at San Quentin (1947) and Attica Correctional Facility (2018). Launch of new exhibit. It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St..
6:00-9:00 pm: “Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner” with members of the Capra family and actors from It’s a Wonderful Life. Featuring the original 1946 Menu. New York Chiropractic College, 2360 NY 80, Seneca Falls, NY. Ticket information: www.wonderfullifemuseum.com. Bedford Falls Express Shuttle leaves The Gould Hotel starting at 5:30 pm and returns after the dinner.
9:00 – 11:15 pm: Free screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. The Delavan Theatre. New York Chiropractic College, 2360 NY 80, Seneca Falls, NY. Shuttles will leave from The Gould Hotel at 8:30 and return to The Gould Hotel following the film.
Saturday, December 14:
7:30 — 11:00 am: It’s a Wonderful Breakfast. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
9:00 am — 2:00 pm: Bedford Falls Station Holiday Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street.
9:45 am: Join 9/11 First Responder Chris Edwards for a group photograph with the Betsy Ross Flag as part of the Betsy Ross Flag Across America Project. The flag started at Gettysburg and is traveling across America in honor of veterans and first responders. It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am: 16th Annual George Bailey Award presented by Karolyn Grimes on behalf of the IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity. Trinity Episcopal Church 27 Fall St. Followed by Reception and tours of Trinity Church.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: American Legion Open House & Craft Fair. History of Veterans. Kirk Casey American Legion, 48 State St.
10:00 am — 4:00 pm: The Ultimate It’s a Wonderful Life Christmas Tree — Brought in from California! Full Circle Chiropractic, 28 Fall St. (Next to the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum)
10:30 am – 12:30 pm: Breakfast with Santa. Special Guests: Santa and Mrs. Claus along with several elves. Everyone in Bedford Falls is invited!! Tickets — $12.50, Children under 5 eat free. Seneca Falls Country Club, 2790 Rte. 89. Reservations are required. Please RSVP by December 9th to 315-568-5202, Ext. 3.
11:00 am: Giant Cinnamon Bun Eating Contest. Café XIX. 20 East Bayard St.
11:00 am: Presentation by Monica Capra Hodges, Frank Capra’s granddaughter. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St. Followed by Book of Lives and Legacies Presentation by the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am — 1:00 pm: Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life Sign Autographs. Items for sale include autograph. Fee for items you bring yourself. Old Library (across from It’s a Wonderful Life Museum), 31 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 12:30 pm: Screening of “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life”, a work-in-progress documentary that explores the connections between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. The film examines small town life in Seneca Falls, captures the excitement of the annual “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival and celebrates the enduring themes of the Frank Capra classic. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 1:00 pm: Book signing by Mary Owen, Donna Reed’s daughter (The Donna Reed Show, A Pictorial Memoir). It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
1:30 — 2:30 pm: Book signing by Monica Capra Hodges (Cry Wilderness, a Novel by Frank Capra). It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
1:30-2:30 pm: “The Shop Around the Corner” –– Radio version of Jimmy Stewart’s other Christmas movie featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 pm – “Every time a bell rings . . . Special ceremony celebrating the 150th anniversary of Generations Bank. Bridge Street Bridge.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life Sign Autographs. Items for sale include autograph. Fee for items you bring yourself. Old Library (across from It’s a Wonderful Life Museum), 31 Fall St.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: “I’d Rather Be Watching the Donna Reed Show.” Presentation by Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter). Classic episodes of The Donna Reed Show that challenge gender and racial stereotypes will be shown. Guntzel Theater. Women’s Rights National Historical Park, 136 Fall St.
2:30 pm – “It’s a Wonderful Life Uncovered: An Inside Look at Scene Details and Curiosities You’ve Been Missing All These Years.” Presentation by author Michael Willian (The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life: A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film). Followed by book signing. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
4:40 pm — The 11th Annual It’s a Wonderful Run 5K.
5:00 — 7:00 pm: “Lassoing the Moon” – Our Vision for the Expansion of the Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. Special Guests: Actors from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Ballroom, The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Free Swing Dance Lesson by Groove Juice Swing (from Rochester). Mynderse Academy Gym, 105 Troy St.
7:45 pm: Join 9/11 First Responder Chris Edwards for a photo with the Betsy Ross Flag as part of the Betsy Ross Flag Across America Project. The flag started at Gettysburg and is traveling across America in honor of veterans and first responders. Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St.
8:00 – 10:15 pm: Free Screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. Mynderse Academy Auditorium, 105 Troy St.
8:00 – 10:30 pm: “Dance by the Light of the Moon.” Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra (19-piece orchestra). Mynderse Academy Gym, 105 Troy St.
8:30 – 9:00 pm: Photo Opportunity with actors from It’s a Wonderful Life. $20 fee benefits the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. Mynderse Academy Gym, 105 Troy St.
Sunday, December 15:
8:00 — 11:00 am: United Way Pancake Breakfast. Family fun activities include face-painting and pancake decorating. Adults $8, Children $4. All proceeds to benefit the United Way of Seneca County. Seneca Falls Community Center, 35 Water St. Presale tickets available: 315-539-1135.
8:30 – 10:30 am: Karolyn Grimes’ 17th Anniversary Celebration Breakfast. Ticket holders should be seated by 8:45. Program begins at 9:30. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St. Ticket information: www.wonderfullifemuseum.com
9:30 am, 11:30 am & 1:30 pm: Bedford Falls Express Train Ride. Tickets $30. See www.therealbedfordfalls.com or call 315-568-8412 for information.
10:00 am: “Christmas — A Season Framed in Stars” — Sermon by Rev. David J. Ross (astronomy enthusiast from Canton, Ohio). Worship Service starts at 10:00 am. Childcare and Sunday School are available. First United Methodist Church of Seneca Falls, 2 Chapel St.
10:00 am: “The Gospel According To Zuzu’s Petals” — Sermon by Pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos. Guest Musician Danny Coldron. Worship Service starts at 10:00. Followed by book reading at 11:30 am. Child care available. The First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls, 23 Cayuga St.
10:00 am — noon: “Donna Reed — The Girl Back Home” — Presentation by Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter). Classic episodes of The Donna Reed Show will also be shown. Guntzel Theater. Women’s Rights National Historical Park, 136 Fall St.
11:00 am: “The Shop Around the Corner” — Radio version of Jimmy Stewart’s other Christmas movie featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am: Reading of The Greatest Gift by Seth Kennedy. Seneca Museum/Visitor Center, 89 Fall St.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life Sign Autographs. Items for sale include autograph. Fee for items you bring yourself. Old Library (across from It’s a Wonderful Life Museum), 31 Fall St.
12:00 noon-1:00 pm: “Talk Saves Lives.” Presentation by Natalee Carroll, Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 – 2:00 pm: “Antonio, Tommy & Frank.” Presentation by Francis Caraccilo and Jim Hughes about Frank Capra’s visit to Seneca Falls in 1945. Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
2:30 – 3:30 pm: “Zuzu and Tommy in Search of Young Violet”: Presentation by Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”), Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”) and Jeanine Roose (“Young Violet Bick”). Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St.
4:15 pm: The Bells of the Real Bedford Falls. Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life gather at the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum to hear The Bells of the Real Bedford Falls ring in honor of those who have made a difference in our lives, 32 Fall St.
4:30 pm: Seneca Singers Holiday Concert. Free Admission. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St.
6:00 – 9:00 pm: “. . . For Auld Lang Syne.” Christmas Buffet Dinner with actors from It’s a Wonderful Life. Seneca Falls Country Club, 2790 Rte. 89, Seneca Falls. Ticket information: www.wonderfullifemuseum.com.
Throughout the day, Dec. 13, 14 & 15:
“Every time a bell rings . . .” Purchase a bell at the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum to put on the bridge in memory of someone who has impacted your life.
“It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum. Drawing on Sunday night, December 15. Need not be present to win.
New Exhibit: “A Powerful Message of Unity, Forgiveness and Love: Reflections on It’s a Wonderful Life from men at San Quentin (1947) and Attica Correctional Facility (2018). The Seneca Falls It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
Exhibit: “Donna Reed, Another Mother for Peace and Their Efforts to Create a Department of Peace and a Secretary of Peace.” Sign the petition for a Secretary of Peace and a Department of Peace. It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall St.
The Bedford Falls Express Shuttle
The shuttle will provide transportation between downtown, the high school, different venues and the Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, Microtel and The Gould Hotel. Shuttle hours of operation:
Friday, Dec. 13: 5:30 pm – 11.30 pm
Saturday, Dec. 14: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday, Dec. 15: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
