Seneca Falls pulls out the stops for ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
Village celebrates its rumored connection to Bedford Falls in Frank Capra’s holiday classic
There I was in snowy Seneca Falls, hearing what sounded like Jimmy Stewart’s voice. I followed the sound to the small park on the canal, spotting a man in topcoat and fedora. “Mary! Mary!” he called out as he traipsed through the snow. “Have you seen my wife?” he asked passing pedestrians. The bridge behind him looked just like the one George Bailey stood on while contemplating suicide in It’s a Wonderful Life.
Wait a minute. The bridge, the snow, the voice: Was this Seneca Falls or Bedford Falls?
Many believe that the movie based in fictional Bedford Falls was inspired by a visit to this canal town by the director, Frank Capra, who stopped here for a haircut before visiting an aunt in Auburn. The community keeps the town’s rumored connection to the film alive each year by hosting “It’s a Wonderful Life in Seneca Falls,” a three-day event, which runs Friday through Sunday this year.
The festival takes visitors back to a simpler time, when friends were real, not virtual. And if a text message yanks you back to the here and now while attending the children’s tea party or tasting a spicy entry in Ma Bailey’s Hot & Hearty Cook-Off, a sudden appearance by movie angel Clarence — vividly portrayed by an actor — at the Bailey Building and Loan will send you back into the past quickly enough.
It’s not a long drive to enter the wonderful life time warp. Last year, I arrived on Saturday in time for the annual presentation of the George Bailey Award to a couple who had made noteworthy contributions to the community. ZuZu Bailey bestowed the honors — the real ZuZu. A gracious Karolyn Grimes, who played Bailey’s youngest child in the movie, attends to add credibility and to sign movie memorabilia and copies of her memoir.
The festival reflects the small-town spirit that has remained long after Capra visited in 1945. Last year, when organizers learned at the last minute that an Ohio couple — Christopher Knolls and Tiffany Ritchey from Sandusky, Ohio — wanted to get married in town during the festival, they quickly enlisted the community to pitch in. A minister, baker, florist and videographer donated their services while planners transformed that evening’s “A Taste of Bedford Falls” event into the couple’s wedding reception. Honor attendants? No less that the chief of police and ZuZu herself.
Ad-hoc wedding planners encouraged visitors to attend the service in place of friends and family. And actors portraying George Bailey and gang posed with the newlyweds for one-of-a-kind wedding pictures. The community rallied just like in the movie.
The actors’ movie scene re-enactments throughout the village add a sense of celebrity drama and fun to a full schedule of activities. You also can get your holiday cards hand-stamped with a “Bedford Falls Station” postmark in the visitor center, head down the hall to enjoy the historical Christmas card display and then across the street to watch a holiday card being printed on an antique press in a 19th-century print shop. But if you want to board the Santa Claus Train, buy tickets early because they sell out well in advance of the weekend.
Getting Zuzu’s autograph on your DVD case is a treat, but don’t be one of the first in line, which invariably winds out the door; later in the afternoon, there’s little wait. Other activities include live music in the afternoon at Seneca Museum of Waterways & Industry (89 Fall St.) and snacking at “A Taste of Bedford Falls” at Seneca Falls Recreation Center (35 Water St.) After grazing, you can put on your dancing shoes for the “Dance by the Light of the Moon” party, with live music from the era, at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll be in ZuZu’s Café when George Bailey bursts through the door and shouts, “Merry Christmas, everyone!”
Sandra Beckwith is a Rochester-area freelance writer.
Schedule
Here are some of the details. A tree-lighting ceremony and visit from Santa takes place Thursday evening, but the real celebration kicks in starting Friday. Check the Web site, www.therealbedfordfalls.com, or call the visitor center (315) 568-2703 for details.
Friday
Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu Bailey) signs autographs: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Holiday Inn, 2468 Route 414, 2 to 4 p.m. at Royce & Rosenkrans Inc., 60 Fall St.
6 p.m.: Parade on Fall Street, followed by Karolyn Grimes presenting It’s a Wonderful Life at 7 p.m. at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center, 35 Water St.
Saturday
10 a.m.: Presentation of the annual George Bailey Award, IDEA Voices of Humanity, 32 Fall St.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Christmas card printing, Ranger’s Station, Women’s Rights National Historical Park, 116 Fall St.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Train rides with Santa ($12 per person; call (315) 374-1570 or go to http://fingerlakesscenicrailway.com/tickets for tickets), North Pole with the Clauses, horse-drawn carriage rides, cookies and coffee along downtown streets, Canteen and Craft Fair at the American Legion, 48 State St.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Ma Bailey’s Hot & Hearty Cook Off. Taste soups, stews and chilis and vote for your favorite in the stores along Fall Street. (Proceeds go to the Wonderful Life Committee.)
4 p.m.: A Taste of Bedford Falls, with treats from local restaurants, at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center, 35 Water St.; free.
6:30 p.m.: Free dance lesson followed by Dance by the Light of the Moon party at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center, 35 Water St.
Sunday
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Brunch and 1940s fashion show at the Clarence Hotel, 108 Fall St. Tickets are $25; call (315) 712-4000 for reservations.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Karolyn Grimes signs autographs at the Clarence Hotel, 108 Fall St.
