March 26, 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

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...

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....

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...

Around Town March 4-8

March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019

If you want your event included please email us at stjosephrecord@gmail.com March 4 Story Time for Children 6:30 p.m. St...

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...

The Kramers to perform in Thomasboro

April 26, 2019

April 26, 2019

The Kramers have performed on the Main Stage at the National Quartet Convention and at the Gaither Fall Festival. They...

Santa Claus is coming to town

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

Santa Claus will come to town on Dec. 11. The St Joseph-Stanton Fire Wife Tribe along with the help of...

Weekend Family Fun Guide Feb. 15-17

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

Feb. 15. Do you wish it was warmer? There is a School’s Out Swim Day at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic...

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”...

PTC to host trunk or treat on Friday

October 24, 2019

October 24, 2019

St. Joseph PTC President Katie May loves the PTC Trunk or Treat event—and she hopes the community does as well....

Community Garage Sale dates set

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019

The St. Joseph Spring Community Garage Sales will take place April 11-13. People wanting to place ads can email sromero@news-gazette.com....

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...

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...

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...

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

Comments
Leave a Reply