January 20, 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

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....

Weekend Family Fun Guide

June 24, 2019

June 24, 2019

Every week we select some events that would provide your family with some fun. This post is sponsored by Island...

Talk of the Town… Jim and Jen Wagner

August 6, 2019

August 6, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident or official three questions. This week we spoke to Jim and Jen Wagner...

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...

Holly Jolly event postponed

December 3, 2021

December 3, 2021

The annual Holly Jolly Kids Christmas event scheduled for Dec. 11 has been postponed. The St. Joseph Stanton Fire Wife...

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...

Program to promote rail trail tourism

March 22, 2019

March 22, 2019

On March 29 St. Joseph will be visited by someone who lives and breathes tourism. Amy Camp, owner of Cycle...

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...

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...

Ogden Harvest Festival to take place this weekend

October 25, 2019

October 25, 2019

A town tradition is taking place Saturday. The Village of Ogden will hold its Harvest Festival from 2 p.m. to...

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....

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...

The Importance of Sunscreen

July 8, 2021

July 8, 2021

By: Will Miller, PA-C, Christie Clinic Department of Dermatology Summer has come and everyone is out and enjoying the sun....

Little Prince and Princess applications being accepted

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the Little Prince and Princess event in conjunction with the St....

Help the Forest Preserve District

May 5, 2021

May 5, 2021

Garlic mustard is beginning to grow and the Forest Preserve District could use your help to remove it. It is...

Comments
Leave a Reply