WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — On Wednesday afternoon, the state unveiled what’s being touted as the "Christmas Movie Trail," the first of its kind in all of the country.
12 lucky local residents entered a contest to be guests at the launch in the house where the Hallmark movie “Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane” was filmed in Wethersfield.
Joanne Palumbo and Beth Burke’s mom were among the winners.
“I think it's really neat that they incorporated some local folks like us to show up and a grandma and uh to just share it with people that really have lived in Connecticut,” Beth Burke said.
Burke entered her mom’s name and accompanied her to this event.
“My mom finds happiness and joy in watching this and she lost her husband a few years ago and she doesn't want to watch anything other than a Hallmark to keep her happy in her last chapter,” Burke said.
It was an early holiday treat complete with caroling and pictures with three Hallmark Christmas movie actors.
“I was happy to experience this because I got pictures with my mom with these super-hot guys. And that's gonna be her Christmas card,” Burke said.
The movie trail features 22 locations in Connecticut where different holiday movies were filmed.
“I think it's awesome because you could stop at the different places that they actually filmed like either a restaurant or the town and just check it all out,” Palumbo said.
Rachel Mattioli, assistant director for Wethersfield Parks and Rec, said she would like to visit them all but there’s one place she already has in mind.
“One of the locations for me to visit would be down by where I live on the shore with one of the first places,” Mattioli said.
Film director Andrew Gernherd has shot several holiday movies in Connecticut and said he will continue to do so.
“I just want to bring more and more here, to bring work, to bring notoriety,” Gernherd said.
George Norfleet, the executive director of Connecticut's Office of Film, Television and Digital Media said filming holiday movies in the state is important.
“These movies have created 2000 jobs across various sectors as well,” Norfleet said.
He said a lot of film production companies shoot here because of the tax incentives the state offers.
However, there is a proposed bill that could eliminate the film production tax credit.
Some state leaders, including Gov. Ned Lamont, hope to keep things as is and strike down that bill.
“It's essential. In fact, if you do not have the ability to deliver a tax incentive in your budget, it's highly unlikely that your film will get produced. And that would affect our competitiveness if we were not able to offer tax incentives,” Norfleet said.
The locations on the "Christmas Movie Trail" are available to visit now.
Cayla Cade is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ccade@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
RELATED:
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.