May 10, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Ogden festival committee to meet tonight

The Ogden Festival will be bigger and better this year if organizer Kelly Cooper has anything to say about it.


“We hope to attract more participants, vendors and spectators,” she said. “We want to be able to bring some fun and liveliness back into the community at least for a weekend.”


In order to do that Cooper is looking for more volunteers for the festival committee.


The committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Ogden Village Hall.


Cooper said the committee is hoping to see the festival, which is held in August, grow bigger with more cars in the car show, more vendors at the flea market, additional food vendors and more activities for children.


Last year, the biggest challenge was planning a festival from the ground up.


“I had never done something like this,” said Cooper. “It was huge undertaking.”


Cooper said the festival committee, who had helped with previous events, helped her make sure the event was successful.


“ I wanted to make sure that it was well organized and ran as smooth as possible,” she said.


Cooper said the goal of the committee was to offer activities for a wide range of ages as well as making sure to have activities that were free.

Another challenge was making sure the event had enough volunteers.


“We were short on volunteers but were very grateful to all that helped us and hope they will again this year,” Cooper said.


Cooper said the most rewarding part of working on the festival committee was seeing Ogden residents enjoying themselves at the festival.


“It ran really smooth and people were surprised as to what we had to offer,” she said. “I was so happy with the turn out of participant for the car show, flea market, kiddie tractor pull and the event in general. This all could not have been done without the help of the committee, sponsors, village board or the spectators.”


Cooper said anyone interested in volunteering should attend the festival committee meeting tonight.


“It is a rewarding feeling to know that one is helping the community even if it is for a short period of time,” she said. “We are going to try to offer something to the people that volunteer to help attract them and make it interesting. I can not express how much appreciation goes out to those that help us make it a successful event, without them it would not be possible. We hope to be able to have more volunteers with ideas and open minds to help us this year.”

Banner
Related Posts

Booker to be honored tonight at fire station

October 12, 2023

October 12, 2023

When Ross Booker was 10 years old he went with his mother, Marita, to volunteer with their church group at...

SJO to host event for seniors

April 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

The administration at St. Joseph-Ogden High School wants to give their seniors some sense of normalcy.   “The decision to have...

Fall into a ‘Trap’ today at SJO

October 20, 2019

October 20, 2019

Today at 2 p.m. a mystery will unfold at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The SJO drama department is producing “Trap”...

Painter ‘making a difference’ during his time in St. Joseph

December 20, 2019

December 20, 2019

Max Painter loves to serve his community. Painter, who was appointed to the St. Joseph Village Board in August, said...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

June 14, 2019

June 14, 2019

Every weekend we pick at least three events that we think are can’t miss for families in this area. This...

Christmas village on display at Ogden Rose Library

December 21, 2022

December 21, 2022

A winter wonderland is on display at the Ogden Rose Library. More than 500 holiday buildings are on display. The...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Around Town May 27-June 1

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

May 28 St. Joseph Village Board meeting 7 p.m. Village Hall 207 E. Lincoln SJO School Board 6 p.m. St....

Spring Community Garage Sale dates set

January 5, 2021

January 5, 2021

The Spring St. Joseph Community Garage Sales will be held April 8, 9 and 10th. Participants select their own times...

St. Joseph resident Lewis to star in ‘Frozen Jr.’

September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

Hayden Lewis loves to act. The St. Joseph Middle School student is participating in the The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Head over to the Vermilion Regional Airport tomorrow to see hundreds of hot air balloons and fun family activities at...

Wagle reaches out of her comfort zone

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Alayna Wagle loves Halloween. So the Addams Family spooky motif is right up her alley. “I was pretty familiar with...

Voges urges St. Joseph residents to celebrate America

July 3, 2020

July 3, 2020

World War II veteran Bruce Voges loves America. When he told his kids he wanted to have a Fourth of...

Community Garage sale information page

September 9, 2019

September 9, 2019

The St. Joseph Community Fall Garage Sales will take place Sept. 12-14. Find listings here. And here starting Thursday. The...

Little Prince and Princess voting now open

August 3, 2021

August 3, 2021

Donation cups are available at Dairy Queen, IGA and Longview Bank. Voting is also taking place online. Little Prince Declain...

Comments
Leave a Reply