December 3, 2025 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

Vendor profile: Tupperware with Aubree

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

1. Tell me about your business. Tupperware has been around for 79 years and is known for the bowls, kitchen...

Harper brings Wednesday Addams to life

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

The characters in the Addams Family are well known. But that didn’t stop the actors at St. Joseph-Ogden from putting...

Community comes together to ‘Back the Blackers’

March 26, 2022

March 26, 2022

John and Lori Blacker were a part of the St Joseph community for more than 20 years. Now the community...

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...

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....

Lighted parade to take place tonight

December 4, 2021

December 4, 2021

’Tis the season in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph Women’s Club is holding a lighted Christmas Parade tonight at 6...

St. Joseph resident Lewis to star in ‘Frozen Jr.’

September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

Hayden Lewis loves to act. The St. Joseph Middle School student is participating in the The Champaign Urbana Theatre Company...

‘I always have a blast putting the show together’

April 2, 2022

April 2, 2022

Mallory Wagner’s favorite part of a drama production may shock people. It’s rehearsing. “It doesn’t matter what scene we’re doing...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Head over to the Vermilion Regional Airport tomorrow to see hundreds of hot air balloons and fun family activities at...

St. Joseph Chamber announces Little Princess Candidates

July 26, 2024

July 26, 2024

Chloe TeareDaughter of Lacey Tearehttps://gofund.me/33cb22e1 Annah FiedlerDaughter of Mallory and Darren Fiedler https://gofund.me/ee2f024e Keeley Mackenzie McGuireDaughter of Regan and Kyle...

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...

PTC to host carnival

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

The annual St. Joseph PTC Carnival will take place tonight. “It’s genuinely a fun family event that costs little or...

Christmas village on display at Ogden Rose Library

December 21, 2022

December 21, 2022

A winter wonderland is on display at the Ogden Rose Library. More than 500 holiday buildings are on display. The...

2024 St. Joseph Community Garage Sale list

May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

1.  202 S. Seventh.  8 – ? Thursday, 8 – 5 Friday, 8 – ? Saturday.  Men’s and ladies clothing....

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

Comments
Leave a Reply