By Barbara Vancheri

Jimmy Stewart's daughters are coming to Indiana, Pa., in May as part of a centennial celebration of the Oscar-winning actor's birth. Also planning a visit, in June, is Karolyn Grimes, who played his flaxen-haired daughter, Zuzu, in "It's a Wonderful Life," and whose character gave rise to the often-quoted "Zuzu's petals!" line of dialogue.

Indiana's favorite son was born on May 20, 1908, and a series of events will mark the 100th anniversary of that occasion.

Among them will be the May 24 dedication of a new entrance canopy for the museum by comedian Rich Little and his wife, Marie; broadcast veteran Nick Clooney and his wife, Nina; and Stewart's daughters, Dr. Kelly Stewart Harcourt and Judy Stewart Merrill. The canopy is the gift of the Littles.

Later that day, at a dinner at the Indiana Country Club, the Centennial Harvey Award will be given posthumously to Grace Kelly, Stewart's co-star in "Rear Window." Her nephew, John B. Kelly III of Philadelphia, is expected to accept on behalf of her family in Monaco.

A Harvey is a miniature bronze lamppost like the one where Elwood P. Dowd first encountered the 6-foot invisible white rabbit in the 1950 comedy. Past recipients have included actresses Shirley Jones, Janet Leigh and June Allyson.

Centennial Festival Week will kick off May 18 with an 11 a.m. worship service at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 695 School St., Indiana. At 2 p.m. that day, the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana will hold an opening reception for "The Stewart Family Collections."

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 24, it will be "Festival Day on the Plaza" at 835 Philadelphia St., with an antique car show, strolling magicians and musicians, special stamp cancellation and dedication of the canopy.

Grimes will appear at 3 p.m. June 22 at the museum's theater. As Zuzu in the 1946 Frank Capra film, she caught a cold carrying home a prize flower from school.

On the most traumatic, dramatic night of his life, Stewart's George Bailey tucks the flower petals into his watch pocket. After George has been shown what life would have been like without him, the petals reappear, reaffirming he has his old, cherished life back.

The Academy Award-winning actor and World War II fighter pilot died July 2, 1997, at age 89. Go to www.jimmy.org for more information on the museum that celebrates his Indiana roots, wartime service, family and Hollywood success.

Post-Gazette movie editor Barbara Vancheri can be reached at bvancheri@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1632.