Friday December Festival Events

9:00am-4:00pm             Bedford Falls Station Holiday Postal Cancellation. 

Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.

9:00am-5:00pm              Celebrating the Legacy of Frank Capra. New exhibits; sign the petition for a Department of Peace and a Secretary of Peace that was promoted by Donna Reed.

It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 32 Fall Street. MASK

9:00am-6:00pm             Festival Welcome Center. Information, Festival Merch, Tickets, IAWL Trivia Show, Lost & Found, First Aid.

Festival Welcome Center, 76 Fall Street MASK

–                                             Festival of Wreaths Fundraiser Raffle. Plus the $500 Money Tree Raffle provided by Generations Bank, benefitting Seneca County House of Concern.  

Festival Welcome Center, 76 Fall Street MASK

9:00pm-8:00pm              The Ultimate It’s a Wonderful Life Christmas Tree (from California) and Artist Yakovetic.

The Shop Around the Corner, 60 Fall Street.  MASK

9:00am-8:00pm              Visit George Bailey’s Car

James Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram 1429 NY-414 

10:00am                             Presentation by Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”): “Frank Capra and Me — Untold Stories.” 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK.

10:00am-2:00pm           Pastor Greg Asimakoupoulos will be selling and signing copies of his books – Finding God in It’s a Wonderful Life & Zuzu’s Wonderful Life.  

Seneca Falls Heritage and Tourism Center, 89 Fall Street. MASK 

–                                             “I want to live again! Reflections and lessons from George Bailey.” Paintings by Paul Abate. 

First Presbyterian Church 23 Cayuga Street. MASK

10:00am-Close                  Gingerbread House Contest. Come see the great gingerbread houses and vote for your favorites!  See the “It’s A Wonderful LEGO Life” set including old Granville house, the famous truss bridge, George’s 1919 car, and the “You Are Now In Bedford Falls” sign. Santa Letter Writing activity for kids, and new exhibits.  

Heritage and Tourism Center, 89 Fall Street. MASK

10:45am                             Video tour by Brian Rohan of Los Angeles County locations 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. MASK

11:00am-1:00pm              Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life Sign Autographs. (Autographs FREE with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring). 

The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St. VAX 

11:00am                               “Touring Bedford Falls: An Immersive Look at the Film’s Downtown and Residential Streets.” Presentation by Author Michael Willian. 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK

11:30am                               Screening of “It’s a Wonderful life” the original  version. This event is FREE! Concessions available for purchase.  

The Little Theater, 103 Fall Street. MASK

12:00 noon                         “I want to live again! Reflections and lessons from George Bailey.” Paintings by Paul Abate. 

First Presbyterian Church 23 Cayuga Street. MASK

12pm-5:00pm                  It’s a Wonderful Life Characters on Fall Street

12:30pm                              “A.P. Giannini: The American Tale of the Italian Banker.” Presentation by Miles Ryan Fisher, Editor-in-Chief, Italian America Magazine, on Frank Capra and A.P. Giannini, believed to be the model for George Bailey. 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK

1:00pm                               “How IAWL shaped my acting career and life.” Presentation by actor Jody Thompson: A small town boy who shook the dust off this crummy little town to star in some of Hollywood’s biggest films. FREE!  

The Little Theater, 103 Fall Street.  MASK 

1:30pm                                 “Frank Capra: What America Was to Him.” Presentation by John Kuri, filmmaker, son of Emile Kuri, Set Decorator for It’s a Wonderful Life. 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK

2:00pm                               Reading of the Greatest Gift, the original story that inspired Frank Capra & Jimmy Stewart to make It’s A Wonderful Life. FREE!

The Little Theater, 103 Fall Street. MASK

2:00pm-4:00pm             Actors from It’s a Wonderful Life Sign Autographs. (Autographs FREE with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring). 

The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St. VAX 

2:30pm                                “Ruth Bailey’s Life Philosophy.” Presentation by Carol Moss Loop, daughter of Virginia Patton Moss (“Ruth Dakin Bailey”). 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK

3:00pm                                Interesting Facts About George Bailey’s Car. Presentation by Keith Smith, owner of George Bailey’s car, one of only four known props remaining from the film. 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK

3:30pm                               “A Hollywood Producer’s Guide to George Bailey: Frank Capra’s Most Wonderful Hero.” Presentation by Harold Buchholz, an Executive Producer and Writer, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Netflix). Mr. Buchholz has taught college film classes, was a Senior Vice President at Archie Comics, and writes and draws the comic strip Sweetest Beasts on Instagram. 

Trinity Church, 27 Fall Street. MASK 

3:30pm                              Screening of “It’s a Wonderful life” colorized  version –This event is FREE! Concessions available for purchase.  

The Little Theater, 103 Fall Street. MASK

4:00pm-5:30pm              “I want to live again! Reflections and lessons from George Bailey.” Paintings by Paul Abate. 

First Presbyterian Church 23 Cayuga Street. MASK

4:30pm                                Mrs. Martini’s Pasta Dinner and Movie Trivia – Join Mrs. Martini for a homestyle meal while playing along with the fun IAWL Trivia game. Advance tickets available at Festival Welcome Center or at therealbedfordfalls.com  

American Legion 48 State Street MASK

6:00pm                                Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges (Frank Capra’s granddaughter). Shuttles start departing The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall Street, at 4:30 pm.

Del Lago Resort & Casino, 1133 NY- 414. VAX

6pm-8:30pm                   It’s a Wonderful Bonfire, Tree Lighting, Caroling, Holiday Lights Contest winners announced & Santa,Music by Calvary Chapel Worship Band. Harry’s Hots & Concessions available throughout.

People’s Park on Water Street. 

6:00pm                              Merry Christmas, George Bailey! – by the Seneca Community Players. — Advance tickets available at Festival Welcome Center or at therealbedfordfalls.com 

The Bijou Theater,  95 Fall St. MASK

7:20pm                               Fireworks on the Canal Harbor — Celebrate the 75th Anniversary with a spectacular fireworks display.  Best viewing along the Canal Harbor north promenade,

People’s Park, Ovid Street Bridge & Bailey’s Bridge Street Bridge. 

7:30pm                                Mrs. Martini’s Pasta Dinner and Movie Trivia – Join Mrs. Martini for a homestyle meal while playing along with the fun IAWL Trivia game. Advance tickets available at Festival Welcome Center or at therealbedfordfalls.com  

American Legion 48 State Street. MASK

8:00pm                              IAWL Participation Movie –  [SEE DESCRIPTION IN EDITED 2019 PROGRAM #2]  #2 – Advance tickets available at Festival Welcome Center or at therealbedfordfalls.com 

The Bijou Theater, 95 Fall Street.MASK  

8:00pm                              Live Cabaret Show “I’LL BE SEEING YOU… A 1940’s Musical Revue” –Advance tickets available at Festival Welcome Center or at therealbedfordfalls.com 

Pottersville Palladium 107 Fall Street. MASK