The 78th Anniversary Celebration of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Seneca Falls, NY
December 13-15, 2024
We suggest you arrive Thursday, Dec. 12 and leave Monday, Dec. 16
since there will be three full days of activities and special events.
Where to Stay: Hotels Will All Fill Up — Reserve Your Rooms Early
(Shuttles will be available from Friday evening through Sunday night from the Hampton Inn, Microtel and Quality Inn to the Gould Hotel, downtown, and specific venues)
The Gould Hotel — (315) 712-4000 (located on the main street of Seneca Falls)
The Hampton Inn (Seneca Falls) — (315) 539-3939
The Microtel (Seneca Falls/Waterloo) — (315) 539-8438
Lux Hotel (Waterloo) — (315) 577-6068
Del Lago Hotel & Resort (15 minutes from Seneca Falls) — (315) 946-1777. Del Lago has a special block of rooms at a discounted rate. Ask for the “It’s a Wonderful Life” block when you call.
Cast Members
Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”)
Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”)
Donald Collins (“Young Pete Bailey”)
Featuring
Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart/George Bailey
Presentations by Special Guests:
Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s Daughter)
Monica Capra Hodges (Frank Capra’s Granddaughter)
John Kuri (Son of Set Decorator Emile Kuri), Filmmaker
Adam Nelson, CEO, Workhouse Public Relations Agency, New York City
and . . . Victoria Wejko, Mrs. New York American 2024
Program of Presentations & Special Events (Draft)
See www.therealbedfordfalls.com and www.itsawonderfulrun5K.com for additional information.
Thursday, December 12:
5:30 pm: Cast members Karolyn Grimes and Jimmy Hawkins Introduce “It’s a Wonderful Life” and Recall Their Roles as “Zuzu and Tommy Bailey” in Celebration of the 78th Anniversary of “The Most Inspiring Film of All Time.” Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
6:00 – 8:15 pm: Special Screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
Friday, December 13:
9:00 am — 4:00 pm: Bedford Falls Postal Cancellation, Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.
10:00 am — 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall Street.
9:00 am — 8:00 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am — “They’re here Bert, Zuzu’s petals.” Press Conference with Actors from “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Launch of Zuzu’s Petals Project with Karolyn Grimes and Victoria Wejko, Mrs. New York American 2024. Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
11:00 am — 1:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autograph free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
10:30 am: “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life. The Town, The Movie, The Legend.” Documentary by Francis DeClemente and Stu Lisson. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am: Locations in California where “It’s a Wonderful Life” was filmed. Video by Brian Rohan. Followed by: Journey to the 80th Anniversary of “It’s a Wonderful Life” — “For Auld Lang Syne” — Video on the Expansion of the “It’s a Wonderful Life Museum”. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:15 am — Noon: Presentation by Victoria Wejko, Mrs. New York American 2024. “From Trauma to Triumph: Discovering ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Today.” Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
Noon — 1:00 pm: “Zuzu’s Petals, the Charleston Contest Trophy and More: Shining a Light on Wonderful Life’s Iconic Props and Set Decorations.” Presentation by Author Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 — 2:00 pm:”A Woman’s Place” — Presentation by Mary Owen, daughter of Donna Reed. Special Screening of a classic episode of TheDonna Reed Show from 1963 — in which Donna’s husband dreams what it would be like if she was the first woman President of the United States. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Presentation by Brian Peterson, History Instructor, Shasta College: “The Music of It’s a Wonderful Life” — Cinematic Songs and Melodies Essential to the Cultural Context and Narrative Storytelling Success of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:00 — 3:30 pm: “It Was Me.” Presentation by Donald Collins, who played “Pete Bailey” as a toddler with his twin brother Ronald. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:30 – 4:15 pm: “The Shop Around the Corner” — Extended Version of Radio Play featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
4:30 pm: Shuttles start leaving the Gould Hotel for the Frank Capra Preview Dinner.
6:00 — 9:00 pm: Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges. Advance Tickets Required. Del Lago Resort, located off Exit 41, NY State Thruway. CLOSE TO BEING SOLD OUT
Saturday. December 14:
7:30 am — 11:00 am: It’s a Wonderful Breakfast. Eggs, sausage, pancakes, OJ, coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Tickets $10 at the door. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
9:00 am — Noon: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street.
9:00 am — 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum; It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle, 76 Fall Street.
9:00 am — 8:00 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am: 21st Annual George Bailey Award. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
10:30 — 11:30 am: Presentation by Monica Capra Hodges, granddaughter of Frank Capra. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am — 1:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autograph free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
11:30 am — 12:15 pm: “From Darkness to Light, From Despair to Hope – How ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Can Save Lives from Suicide.” Presentation by Govan Martin, Founder and Executive Director, Suicide Prevention Alliance, Harrisburg, PA. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:15 — 1:00 pm: “Everyone Needs a Mary Bailey.” — Presentation by Mary Owen, Donna Reed’s daughter. Special Screening of “A Very Merry Christmas” — a Classic Episode of The Donna Reed Show from 1958 featuring Buster Keaton. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 pm: It’s a Wonderful Parade. Fall Street.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: “The Timeless Message of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’– ‘Never Again Will There Be Anyone Like You (Frank Capra).’” A panel presentation drawing connections between this classic movie and life today, featuring Monica Capra Hodges (Frank Capra’s granddaughter), the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition/UnitedWay, the Suicide Prevention Alliance (Harrisburg, PA), and mental health resources like “Be the One” veterans’ campaign and 211/988 Lifeline resource. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
3:00 — 4:00 pm: “Why and How Frank Capra made ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,'” Presentation by John Kuri, Filmmaker, Author, Musician, Son of Emile Kuri (Set Decorator, “It’s a Wonderful Life”.) Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
4:40 pm: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K. To register, go to www.itsawonderfulrun5K.com
7:00 — 9:15 pm: Special Screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Free Admission. Douglas Avery Performing Arts Center, Mynderse Academy, 105 Troy St.
6:30 — 7:30 pm: Dance Lesson by Groove Juice Swing (from Rochester). Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St.
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). Free Admission.Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St.
Sunday, December 15:
8:30 — 10:30 am: “A Toast to Karolyn . . .” — Karolyn Grimes’ 22nd Anniversary Celebration Breakfast. Arrive by 8:45 to secure your seat. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St. SOLD OUT
9:00 am — 4:30: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum; It’s a Wonderful Quilt Raffle. 76 Fall St.
9:00 am — 4:30 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
11:00 am — 2:00 pm: Autograph signing with cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
11:15 am– 12:00 noon: “The Shop Around the Corner” — Extended Version of the Radio Play Featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:00 noon: “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life. The Town, The Movie, The Legend.” Documentary by Francis DeClemente and Stu Lisson. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:30 — 1:30 pm: “A Seat at the Bailey Dining Room Table: Exploring How Capra and Kuri Make Wonderful Life Scenes So Captivating.” Presentation by Author Michael Willian, Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:30 — 2:30 pm: “The Creation of Bedford Falls.” A Conversation with John Kuri, filmmaker and son of Emile Kuri (Set Decorator, “It’s a Wonderful Life”). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:30 — 3:30 pm: Presentation by Jimmy Hawkins: “From It’s A Wonderful Life to the Life of Evel . . . Knieval, that is.” When Jimmy Hawkins decided wanted to be a producer… He left behind 25 years as an actor appearing in over 400 moves and TV shows… all dealing with positive uplifting themes. Jimmy will talk about the first movie he ever produced — EVEL KNIEVAL starring George Hamilton. From raising the money to premiering at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Come listen and learn how Jimmy Hawkins left a wonderful acting career to enter the dog eat dog world of Producing. He will also take questions. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:30 – 4:00 pm: “Little Miss Karolyn” — Presentation by Karolyn Grimes about working with John Wayne in “Rio Grande” on her tenth birthday. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
4:15 pm: The Ringing of the Bells of the Real Bedford Falls. Gather outside Trinity Church and 32 Fall St.
5:00 pm: Seneca Singers Annual Holiday Concert. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St.
6:00 — 9:00 pm: “For Auld Lang Syne – The Final Scene Dinner.” Seneca Falls Country Club, 2790 NY-90, Seneca Falls. SOLD OUT
