Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," will headline a Christmas in July celebration in Seneca Falls from July 28 through Aug. 1 as the community begins marking the film's 80th anniversary.
The It's a Wonderful Life Museum and Seneca Community Players are presenting the five-day event, the first major public celebration leading to an 80th Anniversary Festival planned for Dec. 9-13.
The week's programming includes appearances by Grimes, film screenings, meals, a live radio play, a trivia contest and events focused on the film's themes and Seneca Falls' connection to the story.
Grimes will hold daily autograph sessions at the It's a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop, 80 Fall St. A gingerbread village by Jon Lovitch will also be displayed at The Gould Hotel throughout the celebration.
Jacqueline Siegel, a businesswoman, television personality and co-founder of Victoria's Voice Foundation, will visit Thursday, July 30. Known as the "Queen of Versailles," Siegel has focused on education and awareness about youth substance abuse prevention following the overdose deaths of her daughter, Victoria, and her sister.
Siegel is scheduled to attend a 1 p.m. reception at Bee's Cafe before joining the opening program for the "Auld Lang Syne" Final Scene Christmas Dinner. The dinner will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Seneca Falls Country Club and will include Grimes, a meal and a screening of the film's final scene. Tickets cost $85.
Friday's schedule begins at 10:30 a.m. with a program on "It's a Wonderful Life" and suicide prevention featuring Govan Martin, executive director of the Suicide Prevention Alliance in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The location had not been announced in the release.
Grimes will introduce the film at 12:30 p.m., followed by a special screening from 1 to 3:15 p.m. at Women's Rights National Historical Park. A "ZuZu, My Little Gingersnap" dinner with Grimes will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bee's Cafe, with tickets priced at $60, and an "It's a Wonderful Life" trivia contest will follow from 7:45 to 9 p.m. at Fall Street Brewing Company.
Saturday's events begin with an It's a Wonderful Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at Trinity Church. The IDEA Center for the Voices of Humanity will present the first Mary Bailey Award at 10 a.m. at the National Women's Hall of Fame.
At 2 p.m., Seth Kennedy and the Seneca Community Players will present a reading of "The Greatest Gift," written by Philip Van Doren Stern, at First Presbyterian Church. The players will then present an "It's a Wonderful Life" live radio play from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church.
Christmas-themed products and photo opportunities, shopping and souvenir specials will be offered around town during the week. The museum will also hold an It's a Wonderful Quilt raffle, with the drawing planned for December.
Additional event details are available through the It's a Wonderful Life Museum.
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