Pedestrians at two crosswalks in Indiana Borough may feel they're rubbing elbows with George Bailey in mythical Bedford Falls as they shop for the holidays along Philadelphia Street.

On the eve of the town's annual "It's a Wonderful Life" festival, borough officials Thursday dedicated new audio signals with actor Jimmy Stewart's voice to guide pedestrians across streets. Stewart, the star of the 1946 movie classic, was born and raised in Indiana.

Using Stewart's folksy voice, provided gratis by celebrity impersonator Rich Little, the crosswalk messages tell pedestrians whether the signal permits them to cross, count down the seconds to the signal change, and offer safety tips.

"Please wait to cross Philadelphia Street at South Ninth Street. Wait for the walk signal, will ya?" the voice of Jimmy Stewart tells pedestrians at Ninth and Philadelphia streets, next to the late movie star's namesake museum.

"This is Jimmy Stewart, and Indiana was my hometown," the voice says.

"And if you meet someone you know while walking (across the street), don't stop and talk," it warns pedestrians.

The messages comply with PennDOT regulations, said the agency's local safety officer, Shawn Houck. He worked with borough and museum officials, Little, several private contractors and Renda Broadcasting Corp. of Indiana to make the year-long project reality.

Houck admits he "gets a kick" from the look on pedestrian faces when they push the crosswalk button and hear the familiar voice.

"Sometimes it's the most bizarre look. ... They're actually looking all around, up and down for (Stewart)," Houck said. "I believe it's the first of its kind in Pennsylvania (to use a celebrity voice)."

Rich Little, who regularly attends the town's annual "Harvey" banquet, provided 100 audio clips that had to be whittled into the few messages used at the crosswalks, said Timothy F. Harley, executive director of the Stewart museum.

Jim DeCesare of Renda Broadcasting, whose office is across the street from the museum, edited Little's clips. The company's vice president, Mark Bertig, also worked with the impersonator.

Because of numerous donations of labor, skills and materials, it cost the borough only about $300 to replace the former chirping walk signals at Seventh and Ninth streets with Stewart's voice.

Harley admitted he was not impressed with the idea when it surfaced "four or five years ago."

"And Little kept bringing it up every year when he came to town. I'm really a cut-and-dry, old school-type museum director," Harley said.

Downtown Indiana's Main Street project manager, Betsy Lauber, pushed the idea last year during a redevelopment project, and Harley got on board. Now, he's sold on the results.

"I'm really thrilled with it. I think it turned out great and it's just so outside of the box, when you think about it," Harley said.

The "It's a Wonderful Life" festival begins at 5:30 p.m. today with activities along North Seventh Street that include a marshmallow roast, kettle corn, hot chocolate and craft booths. The Central Indiana Model Railroad Club will open its display at Christ Episcopal Church at 6 p.m.

The holiday parade on Philadelphia Street begins at 7 p.m. There will be free admission to the Stewart Museum from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with continuous showings of the holiday movie classic. At 8 p.m., after the parade, there will be another free showing of the movie at the Indiana Theater on Philadelphia Street.

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