Seneca Falls becomes Bedford Falls for one wonderful weekend every holiday season.

Many believe Seneca Falls, New York was the inspiration behind the iconic Christmas movie and the town changes it's name to Bedford Falls every year for the It's a Wonderful Life Festival. Survivor actors from the film even come to town to celebrate.

Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey's daughter in the movie, steps back in time every year at the festival. “When I came around the corner and saw Seneca Falls’ main street, I gasped and said, ‘This is Bedford Falls!’”

Photo Credit - Henry Law
Photo Credit - Henry Law
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Main street isn't the only similarity between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. The Bridge Street bridge where Antonio Varacallit tried to rescue a woman who jumped in 1917 is the same place George Bailey jumped to save his angel Clarence. “It is nearly a replica of the same bridge that George Bailey had grown up with all his life," said Grimes.

Photo Credit - Henry Law
Photo Credit - Henry Law
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There are also rumors the man behind the movie, Frank Capra stopped in Seneca Falls for a haircut in 1945. Many believe he crossed the bridge and saw the sign honoring Varacalli as a sign for his new movie home. Capra never confirmed Bedford Falls was inspired from Seneca Falls but there are too many coincidences to ignore....

*Both mill towns
*Seneca Falls had the same grassy median as the one George runs down
*Both have Victorian Architecture and a large Italian population
*George’s sister-in-law’s father owns a glass factory in Buffalo
*Bailey’s friend Sam wants to build a soybean processing plant outside of Rochester
*The bank examiner wants to get back to Elmira on Christmas Eve
*The Bedford Falls High School was dedicated in 1927 the same year as the old Mynderse Academy was dedicated
*The Bailey’s Savings and Loan Association builds low cost housing called Bailey Park. In Seneca Falls, 19th Century factory owner John Rumsey helped immigrant workers by lending them money and building low cost housing

There's even a museum....

Photo Credit - Henry Law
Photo Credit - Henry Law
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The It's a Wonderful Life Festival runs December 6th-9th and ends every year with the ringing of the bells to honor those who have left an impact on the community. You can buy a bell to put on the bridge with your name or the name of someone you would like to honor.

Wherever the real Bedford Falls is, it's a wonderful weekend in Seneca Falls where plenty of angels will get their wings.

See more similarities between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls at Therealbedfordfalls.com.

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