“The Fries Rebellion” comes to life through the eyes of a teenage girl as her history professor uncle introduces her to several Lehigh Valley historic sites in an independent film premiering at Wind Creek Bethlehem Aug. 25.

In fall and winter 1798-1799, vendue cryer, aka auctioneer, John Fries, and his followers rebelled against a recently passed federal property tax passed by President John Adams’ administration.

The movie’s protagonists, Kayla, played by Nancy Kimball and Steve, portrayed by Jon Reinhold, follow the insurrectionists’ footsteps from the Red Lion Inn in Quakertown where newly-appointed tax assessors were first confronted at Bethlehem’s Sun Inn where the mob secured the release of their fellow malcontents held prisoner there by threatening to burn down the town.

The youth-friendly approach to teaching history toggles smoothly between past and present as the young woman’s mind wanders in and out of the late 1790s as historic events, driven by misinformation, unfold.

She learns that “fake news” is nothing new.

In addition to the Red Lion Inn and Sun Inn, filming took place at the Buckeye Tavern in Macungie, 1760 Pub N Grille in Trexlertown, as well as The Shelter House and 1803 House in Emmaus March 4-12.

“My first words were not Mama or Dada. They were fries,” Emmy Award-winning TV personality Carson Kressley said at the film’s fundraiser Feb. 4 at Folino Estate Winery, Greenwich Township, Berks County.

The Claussville native quickly mentioned John Fries’ name is pronounced “freeze.”

Kressley portrays Gen. William McPherson, leading federal forces that quelled the uprising in the 30-minute docudrama.

A host of local talent appear in various scenes, including Jason Searock, of Telford, who portrays Fries.

Danita Fries, of Montgomery County, a distant relative of John Fries, is cast as Anna Marie Wolle.

As production armorer, Stephen Krentler, of Bethlehem Township, kept a sharp eye out making sure only period appropriate weapons, apparel and props appear on screen.

He also is cast as Henry Shiffert, one of Fries’ followers.

With the screenplay written by Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams, the society’s history buffs worked on the project as a local contribution to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Partnering with LMTHS are Dan Hertzog and crew from New Jersey-based In the Wee Hours and Craig Friebolin and crew from Allentown-based ubiFire.

“The Fries Rebellion” Film Premiere and Gala is scheduled 4-8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Wind Creek, 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem.

The red-carpet event includes drinks, music, seated dinner, behind the scenes photos and a screening of the educational film.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to distribute the legacy film to schools, other nonprofits and various media outlets.

The last day of ticket sales is Aug. 10 for the “The Fries Rebellion” Premiere and Gala.

For more information, go to friesrebellionfilm.com.