April 28, 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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Around Town April 15-20

April 14, 2019

April 14, 2019

APRIL 15Summer Camp Registration All Day Registration for summer camps at Homer Lake and Lake of the Woods Forest Preserves...

Weekend Family Fun Guide for Jan. 17-20

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

Friday, January 17MLK Jr. Event The annual county wide Dr. Martin Luther King Junior celebration will take place at the...

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...

Garage sale map

September 15, 2022

September 15, 2022

Mayor asks residents to decorate windows, sidewalks

March 30, 2020

March 30, 2020

The St. Joseph Record and Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges are asking village residents to decorate their front windows, driveways or sidewalks....

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...

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....

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...

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...

St. Joseph Chamber announces Little Prince candidates

July 27, 2024

July 27, 2024

Addison MonierSon of Tiffany Monierhttps://gofund.me/128cdc2b Conor SchottSon of Rachel and Jason Schotthttps://gofund.me/6c508ce0 Will PetersSon of Steve and Sarah Petershttps://gofund.me/712d223d Emmett...

Comments
Leave a Reply