How This New York Town Celebrates IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Published: November 20, 2024

How This New York Town Celebrates IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

By Movieguide® Contributor

Have you ever wanted to step into the world of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’s Bedford Falls? This holiday season, you can!

“From December 13th through the 15th, the charming town of Seneca Falls transforms into a wonderland of nostalgia, hosting its annual It’s a Wonderful Life Festival,” WIBX950 reported. “Inspired by the beloved holiday classic many believe was based on this town, the three-day extravaganza has over 100 festive events guaranteed to fill your heart with joy.”

The festival includes events like a bonfire, a 5k marathon, a parade and a scavenger hunt. Cast members Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey) and Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey) are set to make appearances.

Festival Committee Chair Haidee Oropallo spoke to the Finger Lakes Times about a new event coming to the festival.

“We are thrilled to introduce a new event this year called ‘Lights, Camera, Action!,'” she shared. “Enthusiastic festival attendees will engage in activities inspired by memorable scenes from the movie at various locations around town, capture them on their phone cameras, and upload them to the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival site for a chance to win $100.”

Oropallo also spoke about the legacy of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

“The message of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE holds profound meaning for people from all walks of life,” she explained. “Every year, individuals travel from across the country eagerly anticipating this event. We listen to their stories and share in their excitement, making it a truly exhilarating weekend for everyone involved.”

The story of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE isn’t over yet. GQ recently reported that JUROR #2 screenwriter Jonathan Abrams is working on a biopic about star Jimmy Stewart during the making of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

“I’ve completed the script and we’re putting it together,” Abrams shared. “It’s a biopic about the making of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but really about Jimmy Stewart working through his PTSD upon returning home from World War II where he was a bomber pilot, and how he worked through it by playing George Bailey.”

He continued, “You know, it’s a love letter to Hollywood and to the greatest holiday movie ever made and to definitely one of the greatest actors that ever was. It’s a story that I love, and again, I’m just so thrilled to be able to do this and get paid to do it and hopefully we’ll be able to get that film made too.”