The high-school band featured is a real band: The Chelmsford High School Marching Band from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The movie was filmed in and around the Boston area. The scene with the band practicing was filmed in South Boston; those familiar with landmarks will recognize a few. While the band was practicing, dust was thrown into fans to create a "dust bowl" effect as the movie takes place in Indiana.
"Promenade (Tourists on the Menu)" from the "Jaws" soundtrack by John Williams is used throughout the production. The mayor in "Jaws" was trying to avoid closing the beaches for the Fourth of July.
The actors from "Phantom Of The Open Hearth" (Barbara Bolton, William Lampley, and James Broderick) all reprise their roles as Mom, Flick, and The Old Man while Matt Dillon, Jay Ine, and Jeff Yonis take over from David Elliott, Adam Goodman, and Bryan Uttman as Ralphie, Randy, and Schwartz.