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Get In The Christmas Spirit With "A Gettysburg Christmas"

A Heartwarming Movie Set in Historic Gettysburg

By Robin O’Neal Smith Content Creator at Expert Content Creation
Kelley Jakle (as Hope), Sarah Burkett(as Emily,) Sean Faris (as Nick), and Tom Vera (as Ryan
Photo by Mila K Photography
Photo by Mila K Photography

Gettysburg is known as a historic town famous for the Civil War battle that took place in 1863 and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that the town transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland every year during Christmas. Gettysburg perfectly blends its rich American heritage with the spirit of the holidays.

It is no surprise Gettysburg was selected to be featured in a new Christmas Movie, A Gettysburg Christmas, set to premiere this holiday Season. The film by Bo Brinkman captures the holiday and historic beauty of Gettysburg and blends it with a heartwarming story similar to the Hallmark variety. A young lady gives up on relationships and Christmas, and it takes a Gettysburg miracle to help mend her heart, trust again, realize the importance of family, and find love.

A Gettysburg Christmas

The movie was filmed in Gettysburg and Adams County locations in late January and February of 2023 and will begin showing in theaters in December. Several Gettysburg establishments, such as the Dobbin House Restaurant & Tavern, Mr. G’s Ice Cream, Farnsworth House Inn, The Christmas Haus, and more, are featured in the movie.

Actors in the show include

● Lee Majors as Charlie

● Kelley Jakle as Hope

● Bruce Boxleitner as RonHope’s Dad

● Kate Vernon as Caroline - Hope’s Mom

● Tom Vera as RyanHope’s Brother

● Sarah Burkett as Emily

● Sean Faris as Nick

The Plot

As the story unfolds, broken-hearted Hope buys an apple farm outside the town of Gettysburg, PA. After several years, she is still struggling with heartache and her abrupt life-changing decision to leave her father’s law firm and become an apple farmer.

At first, she found peace on the farm, but the loneliness of isolation gradually replaced it. Her father, Ron, is still upset with her for leaving his firm. In the past, it led to a Christmas Eve blowout that has yet to be reconciled.

Hope’s ex-fiancé had broken their engagement for another woman a few days before Christmas Eve. Hope has sworn off Christmas and relationships.

Hope’s mother, Caroline, brother, Ryan, and his quirky girlfriend, Emily, travel to Gettysburg to have Christmas with Hope whether she likes it or not and perhaps mend the relationship between her and her father. Ryan’s old Army buddy, Nick, arrives at the farm and is immediately taken with Hope. But Hope isn’t interested.

Lee Majors as Charley
Photo by Mila K. Photography

It takes a Christmas miracle in the form of Charley to help mend Hope’s broken heart and allow her to trust again, realize the importance of family, and find love.

Much effort went into making the movie look and feel authentic to the town, its history, and the holidays. The scenes shot at Gettysburg’s historic landmarks and buildings, such as the Dobbin House Tavern and the covered bridge, make for stunning visuals that capture the town’s beauty. The movie will surely warm the hearts of many, especially since the public showings will hopefully happen during the Gettysburg Christmas Festival.

The Gettysburg Christmas Festival each year, during the first weekend of December, Gettysburg kicks off its Christmas Festival. Main Street Gettysburg hosts the annual event in partnership with various sponsors and community organizations.

They provide free activities, shopping, crafts, dining, food, beverages, and three entertainment stages during the weekend festival.

Sarah Burket (as Emily) and Bruce Boxleitner (as Ron)
Photo by Mila K. Photography

Other Holiday Events

Several historic sites host special events throughout the holiday season.

● The Shriver House’s Five Christmases event provides a guided tour of the pre-Civil War home and showcases how Christmas was celebrated in the mid-19th century.

● The Christmas Haus will make you feel like you are shopping in a German village. Ornaments, nutcrackers, and other goods imported from German artisans are displayed.

● Take a festive carriage ride through Gettysburg in a horse-drawn carriage with blankets and hot cocoa.

If you have the opportunity to watch the movie, A Gettysburg Christmas, you will be reminded of the essence of Christmas - love, togetherness, and traditions. If you visit Gettysburg during the holidays, you will leave with a spirit of Christmas in your heart.

Photo by A Gettysburg Christmas

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