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Seneca Falls is at full holiday stride today as the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival hits its busiest and most iconic day. From early-morning breakfasts and museum visits to the parade, major presentations, and the nationally known twilight 5K, Saturday is the heart of the three-day celebration honoring the film’s 79th anniversary and the town’s identity as the Real Bedford Falls.
Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening today, hour by hour, across Seneca Falls.
Morning: Breakfast, museums, and Bedford Falls traditions
The day begins early with It’s a Wonderful Breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Trinity Church, a long-running tradition that draws visitors and locals alike before the downtown streets fully fill.
Throughout the morning, several festival staples are open and active:
- The It’s a Wonderful Life Museum at 76 Fall St. is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., showcasing original memorabilia, including Violet’s earrings.
- The original museum site at 32 Fall St. is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring three major exhibits: Todd Karns’ From Paris to Mexico paintings, Paul Abate’s I Want to Live Again! series, and the A Wonderful Winter in LEGO holiday village by CNY Bricks.
- George Bailey’s Car, the 1919 Dodge Brothers Touring Car, remains on display all day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at James Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
- The Bedford Falls Postal Cancellation runs 9 a.m. to noon at the Seneca Falls Post Office.
- Free roasted chestnuts are available at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of State and Fall streets, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.
- Wonderful Spice Coffee samples and bag sales run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the museum and Gabbard’s Barber Shop.
Late morning: Awards and film legacy presentations
Saturday’s formal programming begins at 10 a.m. with the 21st Annual George Bailey Award at Trinity Church, recognizing individuals who embody the film’s message of community and service.
Presentations continue throughout the late morning at Trinity Church:
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Monica Capra Hodges, granddaughter of director Frank Capra, reflects on her family’s connection to the film.
- 11 to 1 p.m. — Cast autograph signing at The Gould Hotel.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. — Presentation by Mary Owen, daughter of Donna Reed.
At noon, one of the festival’s lighter traditions takes center stage: the Cinnamon Bun Eating Contest at Café XIX, with a $5 entry fee.
Midday: Art, parade, and community conversations
Early afternoon keeps the pace moving:
- 12:15 to 1 p.m. — Artist Paul Abate discusses his work and the film’s enduring themes at Trinity Church.
- 1 p.m. — The It’s a Wonderful Parade steps off down Fall Street, filling downtown with floats, music, and costumed participants.
- 2 to 3 p.m. — The Wonderful Wings youth empowerment panel, hosted by the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition and United Way, focuses on mental health and resilience.
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Additional cast autograph sessions at The Gould Hotel.
Afternoon: History, performance, and the lead-up to the 5K
As the day builds toward its signature event, more presentations and performances anchor the afternoon:
- 3 to 4 p.m. — Every Time a Bell Rings, a presentation by Victoria Wejko (Mrs. New York American 2024), explores the film’s message through modern advocacy.
- 3 to 4 p.m. — Brian Rohan performs Jimmy Stewart on the Front of Life, a one-man play honoring Stewart’s World War II service, at First Presbyterian Church.
Early evening: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K
At 4:40 p.m., downtown Seneca Falls transforms for the It’s a Wonderful Run 5K, one of the most recognizable holiday races in the country. Thousands of runners and spectators fill Fall Street as the twilight race begins, complete with holiday music, costumed participants, cheering crowds, and illuminated streets that evoke scenes straight from the film.
Packet pickup continues through 4 p.m. at the Seneca Falls Community Center, and organizers note that shuttles are running throughout the evening due to packed downtown parking and full hotels.
Tonight: Dancing, screenings, and classic performances
Saturday night offers multiple options to close out the day:
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Swing dance lesson by Groove Juice Swing at the Mynderse Academy gym.
- 7 to 9:15 p.m. — Special screening of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Douglas Avery Performing Arts Center at Mynderse Academy.
- 7 to 8:15 p.m. — It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play by the Seneca Community Players at First Presbyterian Church.
- 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Dance by the Light of the Moon, featuring an 18-piece swing band, fills the Mynderse Academy gym with live music and dancing. Admission is free.
Saturday is the festival’s most concentrated and energetic day, blending nostalgia, community traditions, and large-scale events that draw visitors from across the region and beyond. With shuttles running, venues packed, and Fall Street glowing after dark, Seneca Falls fully becomes Bedford Falls today.
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