March 15, 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

Welcome home: Parade set to honor Randall

October 2, 2021

October 2, 2021

Lyndsey Leemon is proud of her brother. So proud in fact, she wants to honor him with a parade to...

Family Fun Guide March 1-3

February 28, 2019

February 28, 2019

Each week we provide a list of some fun activities to do with your family. Here are this weekend’s events....

Short hopes to light up St. Joseph

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

Audrey Short wants to light up St. Joseph for Christmas. Short is urging the community to take part in a...

Fire Protection District welcomes public to their new home

November 16, 2019

November 16, 2019

Rusty Chism would have felt a sense of pride. At least that’s the hope of St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District...

Weekend Family Fun Guide May 10-12

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

The Weekend Family Fun Guide is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events. May 10 SJO FFA Greenhouse Plant Sale3-7...

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...

Weekend Family Fun Guide- June 8

June 7, 2019

June 7, 2019

June 8 Touch a truck 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Barber Park, Mahomet Kids can climb on and explore police cars, fire...

Around Town: Feb. 25-March 2

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019

If you want your event included please email us at stjosephrecord@gmail.com Feb. 25Senior Citizen Bingo 2 p.m. St Joseph Township...

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...

Employees help co-worker during time of need

February 8, 2021

February 8, 2021

The staff at the St. Joseph Subway wanted to help April Patton. Manager Adam Porter said his co-worker said she...

Weekend family fun guide

March 22, 2019

March 22, 2019

March 22 Fire by Friction 2 to 4 p.m. Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve Before the convenience of matches...

Salon 192 to hold food drive

November 9, 2020

November 9, 2020

Amy Gibbons wants to help people. Gibbons, the owner of Salon 192 on Lincoln Street in St. Joseph, has organized...

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

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...

Weekend family fun guide for Feb.8-10

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

Need something to do with the family to beat the winter blues? Here are our weekend picks for family fun....

Comments
Leave a Reply