February 24, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Willowdale Winter Wonderland to open tonight

The Willowdale subdivision north of St. Joseph has created a winter wonderland.


Resident Lacey Smith organized the multi-night event which features more than 20 homes decorated in Christmas lights.

The event starts Dec. 10.


“I love Christmas,” she said. “And we have a fantastic neighborhood.”


When Smith moved to Willowdale in 2015, she heard the neighborhood used to decorate for Christmas quite a bit.


“The idea just popped in my head that one day I would like to organize this for the community,” she said. “In the fall of 2019 we had some neighbors over for a bonfire and I casually brought the idea up. Everyone was interested and plans began to form for Willowdale Winter Wonderland.”


Smith said the event has brought the neighborhood together.

“It’s been a fun way to connect as a neighborhood-planning out what lights we want to put out and comparing ideas,” she said.


The subdivision includes everything from a lighted kickball field to lots of Santas and Snowmen.


“It looks really cool,” Smith said. “You can feel the excitement in the air among the neighbors. As we’ve been decorating, lots of people have been out walking and checking out one another’s displays, it’s been really fun to do this together as a neighborhood.”


Smith said many in the neighborhood are making plans for how they want to change their displays next year.

“Many of us are making plans for how we want to make this bigger and better next year,” she said. “We plan to hit up the after Christmas sales for more decorations, that’s for sure.”

The decorations will be on through Jan. 1.

Banner
Related Posts

Area Memorial Day events

May 25, 2019

May 25, 2019

Sunday Penfield, Gifford area The Penfield/Gifford American Legion Post 1153 and Auxiliary Unit 1153 will host ceremonies at 12:30 p.m....

4 Questions with Creations by De

August 12, 2023

August 12, 2023

Tell us about your business. Creations by De is a licensed home-based business. I do custom cakes, cookies and a...

Weekend Family Fun Guide March 8-10

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

March 8-10 Free Kids Movie 10 a.m. Savoy 16 A Free Movie will be shown at the Savoy 16 starting...

Around Town: Feb. 18-23

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

If you want your event included please email us at stjosephrecord@gmail.com Feb. 18 Story Time for Children 6:30 p.m. St...

Christie Clinic Shootout in St. Joseph still on, but SJO won’t play

January 11, 2020

January 11, 2020

The heavy rainfall that hit St. Joseph on Friday night and into Saturday morning, along with the potential for severe...

Weekend family fun guide for March 15-17

March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

This weekend is jam packed with fun things to do with the family. March 15 The Savoy 16, located at...

St. Joseph Community Garage Sale Listings

April 7, 2021

April 7, 2021

106 East Evergreen Dr.Multi family garage sale. Furniture, washer/dryer, clothing, decorations, bicycles, household items, tools, metal ammo boxes, Garden fertilizer and misc garden...

Five questions with Lindsey Parrish of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

Tonight at 7 p.m, The St. Joseph Church of Christ will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” We asked Lindsey...

Mayor to host Halloween Parade

October 28, 2020

October 28, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges is looking forward to a happy Halloween. The mayor will hold her annual Halloween Parade on Saturday...

‘As long as you put the effort into it, it can be achieved’

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

Logan Allen has loved Barry Manilow’s music his entire life. Allen’s mother was a huge Manilow fan. “When she had...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

Winter storm closures

February 15, 2021

February 15, 2021

CLOSEDHomer Lake, Lake of the Woods, Middle Fork River, River Bend, and Sangamon River Forest Preserves, as well as remote...

Rides available to fish fry

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

The mayor and some local residents are hoping more seniors can attend the St. Joseph Community Festival held Thursday, Friday...

Allen reflects on Addams Family performance

April 6, 2022

April 6, 2022

Logan Allen loved performing with his friends. Allen played Lucas in the Addams Family which the St. Joseph-Ogden Drama Department...

Around Town March 12-15

March 11, 2019

March 11, 2019

If you want your event included please email us at stjosephrecord@gmail.com March 12 Summer Camp Registration All Day Registration for...

Comments
Leave a Reply