La PORTE, IN (November 22, 2024) – The 35e Anniversary PrancerPalooza event promises to be a great source of holiday fun for the whole family, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

The regional planning committee for the event announced earlier this week that Sam Elliott would no longer be able to attend the 35th edition due to a professional commitment.e anniversary PrancerPalooza. La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said that while disappointed by this announcement, the event will still be a special celebration for fans of the film.

“While we were sad to hear that Sam Elliot can no longer join us, I think his willingness to come at all speaks volumes,” Dermody said. “Both the film and the city of La Porte clearly hold a special place in his heart, and we will miss him during the celebration. However, we still have a great event planned and look forward to commemorating this anniversary with our community.”

Dermody said director John Hancock, actress Rebecca Harrell Tickell (who played lead character Jessica Riggs) and other cast members will be present at the La Porte screening and Q&A on Sunday, December 15, at the Civic Auditorium.

Other planned activities include appearances by Santa Claus, along with his elves and live reindeer, photo opportunities with Santa’s sleigh, a live musical performance by the Sam Fazio Quartet Holiday Show, an ugly Christmas sweater contest with prizes, and giving opportunities to local charities including the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and the PAX Center. Doors open at 1:00 PM, the concert is at 1:45 PM and the film is shown at 3:00 PM

While he hopes the community will still participate in what promises to be a magical event, Dermody said customers seeking refunds can do so by emailing [email protected].

Visit livinthelakelife.org for a detailed schedule of the event.

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About Prancer

Filmed in La Porte and Three Oaks, Michigan, Prancer tells the story of a farm girl who tends to an injured reindeer that she believes is Santa’s reindeer, hoping to nurse it back to health in time for Christmas. Her holiday spirit inspires the people around her, something her discouraged father finds difficult to understand. The film stars Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Abe Vigoda and Rebecca Harrell Tickell.