Murder, She Wrote Festival 2025 Was a Success

Thank you to all the fans who journeyed from across the globe to celebrate all things Jessica with us! Folks came from all over the States, and as far away as Holland, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. For those who couldn’t be with us, here’s a quick recap:

Fans were delighted by our surprise guests, Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp, who played married couple Grady and Donna on the TV show. They spoke to a packed house and signed many, many autographs. Guests sipped tea from Mendocino Tea Company and snacked on cookies from Good Life Cafe and Mendocino Cookie Company while listening to a riveting talk from Bridget Kies, author of Murder, She Wrote, a book exploring the popularity of the TV show.

The weekend started off with a bang at our Welcome Happy Hour, held at The Wharf Restaurant in Noyo Harbor (a filming location in the show). There was no stumping the Fangelas at trivia; the winning team answered all but two questions correctly. Thank you to our charming hosts, Joann Mauro and Holly Madrigal.

Over the next two days, Kelley House guides led about 200 people on walking tours around town, which is undoubtedly a record! We loved seeing all the “Jogging Jessicas” (fans wearing the jogging outfit Jessica wore on the show, see photo) on tour and during the Mystery Scavenger Hunt.

On Saturday night our friends at the Blair House Inn hosted a lovely reception in “Jessica’s House,” complete with a photo booth and costume area. Barbara Reed, former owner of the Hill House Inn, entertained the crowd with stories from the filming era (her husband and Doc Hazlitt played a lot of chess!). Party guests toasted Angela Lansbury’s legacy with wine from Murder Ridge Winery and sparkling wine from Scharffenberger Cellars, and snacked on small bites from Flow Restaurant and the Mendocino Market.

The evening’s entertainment left everyone in stitches! Tim Benzie flew over from London to perform his interactive show “Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote.” Audience members helped find the killer in one of the episodes filmed in Mendocino, “If It’s Thursday, It Must Be Beverly.” Thank you Tim.

In just two years this festival has become the Kelley House Museum’s biggest event. We are so grateful to Angela Lansbury for creating a memorable character, and leaving such a warm and lasting impression on so many hearts. Her fans are some of the nicest people on the planet.

Finally, a huge shout-out to the crew of volunteers who made the weekend possible. From docents and guides to our photographer and social media volunteer, we couldn’t have done it without all your hard work. We are always looking for more volunteers, so contact us if you are interested.

Stay tuned: plans are being made for another Murder, She Wrote Festival in 2026. Till next year!

-Director and Festival MC, Anne Semans

Thank You to Our Generous Festival Sponsors

Inns and Restaurants:

Blair House Inn, Harbor Lite Lodge, The Stanford Inn, Little River Inn, The Wharf Restaurant, Café Beaujolais,  GoodLife Cafe & Bakery, North Coast Brewing Co., Joshua Grindle Inn, Alegria Inn, Flow Restaurant, Mendocino Cafe, Mendocino Market, Four Sisters Collection, Mendocino Village Water Tower, Luna Restaurant.

Local Businesses:

Century 21 Seascape Realty, Murder Ridge Winery, Roederer Estate, Scharffenberger Cellars, Mendocino Chocolate Company, Mendocino Tea Company, Best Realty, Out of this World, Village Sock Shop, Queen Bee, Partners Gallery, Whistlestop, Mendocino Jams & Preserves, Gallery Bookshop, Harvest Market, Bebe Lapin, Astoria Home Store, Mendocino Sandpiper Jewelry, Heavenly Soles, Highlight Gallery, Meyers Family Cellars, My Chic Farmhouse, Mendocino Presbyterian Church, and Mendocino High School.

Festival Merchandise! Are your friends back home jealous of your MSW souvenirs? They are now available in our online store!