The Bridgeport Police Activities League Impact Drum Line kicked off a 50-day countdown to Christmas Village during their Friday night rehearsal.

The youth group, featuring children ages 8 and older, is preparing for the nonprofit's annual holiday tradition that has a historic legacy in the community.

In 1982, the original Christmas Village was burned down by an arsonist just days before opening - but volunteers braved freezing weather in an emotional 24/7 effort to rebuild it from scratch.

The recovery effort caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan, who said it was one of the most inspirational Christmas stories he had ever heard.