The La Porte Civic Auditorium was filled with holiday cheer on Sunday, December 15, 2024, as families gathered for PrancerPalooza to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the beloved holiday film, “Prancer.” The two-day event began in Three Oaks, Michigan, on Saturday, December 14, before moving to La Porte, both locations where the film was originally shot. Featuring special screenings, festive activities, and appearances by cast members and Director John Hancock, the event brought together fans and the local community to honor the nostalgic legacy of the 1989 classic.
“‘Prancer’ embodies the Christmas spirit,” said Hancock. “The heart of this story lives in the people who keep it alive, and I’m honored to celebrate with them.”
PrancerPalooza partnered with several small businesses and nonprofits to promote charitable giving, emphasizing the importance of supporting those in need during the holiday season. Attendees contributed to food drives benefiting the PAX Center and Salvation Army and brought toys for the Toys for Tots collection.
“We’re not just celebrating ‘Prancer,’ we also took this as an opportunity to give back,” said Brett Binversie, director of the Civic Auditorium. “It’s wonderful to see people donating and helping those in need this holiday season. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are here, along with live reindeer, and we have a Christmas concert starting at 1:30 p.m. It’s a fantastic way to bring the community together while spreading holiday cheer and helping others.”
Mark Schreiber, the park superintendent, reflected on why “Prancer” remains so beloved in La Porte.
“So many people either participated in the filming or had relatives who were involved,” Schreiber said. “For some, it might have been their father or mother who was in the movie, and now those memories have become part of La Porte’s tradition. We’re a very nostalgic society, and ‘Prancer’ will always be a cherished part of our community.”
Schreiber also expressed the joy of organizing an event that brought the community together.
“Finding reindeer for this celebration was a lot of fun and more challenging than you might think,” Schreiber said. “Seeing the kids cuddle up to them, pet them, and see them up close was worth the effort. For many children living in the city, it’s a rare opportunity to interact with animals like this. It’s turned out to be a really nice family day.”
Rebecca Harrell Tickell, who starred as Jessica Riggs in “Prancer,” shared her gratitude for the connection she feels with the La Porte community.
“I just love this community,” Tickell said. “It feels like a home away from home for me. People have been so kind. They'll come up to me, start to cry, and tell me I was a part of their family tradition. Someone told me it was on his bucket list to meet me before he passed away, and another woman shared that her daughter became a social worker because of the way Sam Elliott’s character treated Jessica. She said her daughter feels like she’s doing God’s work. It’s incredible to see how what we created in this community has touched so many lives. I feel so grateful to be part of something that continues to resonate with millions of people.”
Tickell reflected on her experiences filming “Prancer,” calling it an authentic and transformative role.
“I see so much of myself in Jessica’s character,” Tickell said. “It made the acting process feel natural. I still feel like Jessica is a part of me to this day.”
One unforgettable moment during the production of “Prancer” involved an accidental fire at the Holiday Inn where the cast and crew were staying. Tickell recounted that Producer Raffaella De Laurentiis had fallen asleep smoking a cigarette, setting her bed ablaze. The La Porte Fire Department rescued Tickell and the rest of the cast from the burning hotel.
“I was so exhausted, I didn’t even wake up when the fire alarm went off,” Tickell said. “The firefighters carried me out, and I remember standing in the hotel lobby with everyone in their underwear and nightgowns. The next day, I ran into the production office and said, ‘Rafi, did you see the fire last night?’ She took a drag of her cigarette and nonchalantly admitted, ‘Darling, I started the fire.’
Tickell credited De Laurentiis’ charisma as an inspiration for her eventual transition into producing. She attributed the film’s success to the deep emotional connection she felt with the story and her role.
“One of the most emotionally demanding scenes was the truck conversation with Sam Elliott, where Jessica learns she will be sent to live with her aunt,” Tickell said. “Director John Hancock made me run laps around the set until I was visibly upset. As soon as he saw me like that, he said, ‘Roll the camera,’ and that’s the take they used. That raw anger and exhaustion translated into one of the film’s most powerful scenes.”
In addition to her acting career, Tickell has become an accomplished filmmaker and environmental activist. She has created 20 documentaries about regenerative agriculture, including the critically acclaimed “Kiss the Ground,” narrated by Woody Harrelson. Tickell noted the thematic connection between her films and “Prancer.”
“All of my films are about regenerative agriculture,” Tickell said. “It actually relates to ‘Prancer’ a lot because it’s about a family struggling with farming.”
As fans gathered to celebrate the movie, Tickell reflected on the profound impact “Prancer” has had on her life and the lives of others.
“It’s incredible to see how what we created in this community has touched so many lives,” Tickell said.
PrancerPalooza offered attendees a heartwarming celebration of the beloved holiday classic, blending nostalgia with community spirit. Visitors enjoyed a festive day filled with charitable giving, live reindeer, holiday performances, and appearances by cast members. The event ended with a screening of the film, followed by an engaging Q&A session with Hancock, who reflected on the movie’s legacy and its enduring message of love and connection. By combining entertainment with meaningful opportunities to give back, PrancerPalooza beautifully captured the holiday spirit while honoring a cherished local tradition.
To learn more about the City of La Porte, visit cityoflaporte.com.
