September 26, 2023 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Christmas in St. Joseph events kick off this week

A young girl’s wish for a community Christmas tree started a town-wide holiday extravaganza that will kick off on Dec. 3.

“I think it would just bring a lot of joy around Christmas time to everybody.” Lana Schott told the St. Joseph Village Board in July.


On Dec. 3 an empty lot on Main Street near the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District will host the town’s first community tree lighting event.


The event, which starts at 3 p.m., will feature booths where attendees can decorate ornaments for the town tree, and enjoy smores, hot chocolate, and popcorn free of charge.

St. Joseph Girl Scouts will have cookies and a send-a-smile coloring activity which will be mailed to military members to brighten their holiday season. The Grinch will be in attendance starting at 3:30 p.m. for photo opportunities.

St. Joseph-Ogden High School Chorus members will perform at 4:15 p.m and the tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. with Schott doing the honors.


The lot is actually home to two trees—the future St. Joseph Community Christmas tree, which will be planted in Kolb Park, and the 2022 St. Joseph Community Christmas Tree. Next year Kolb Park will be home to the tree and host many Christmas in St. Joseph events.


The next weekend will see Santa come to town at the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Family’s Holly Jolly Event. The event starts with a pancake and sausage breakfast at 7 a.m until 10 a.m. A hot cocoa bar, coloring pages and cookie decorating will be available and Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m.


“The Holly Jolly is a great way to get the community together and celebrate everything Christmas with the children,” said Family President Vickie Reese. “We hope to create a North Pole feeling for the kids to enjoy. We add a little bit more each year.”


Reese said the event, which usually sees 300 or more children in attendance, is one of her favorite events.


“My favorite part is seeing all of the happy kiddos and giant smiles,” she said. “It brings a smile to my face personally seeing everyone together laughing and caroling and sharing in the joy of the season.”


Other events include: ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the St. Joseph Church of Christ.


On Dec. 10 the St. Joseph Women’s Club will host the lighted golf cart parade in downtown starting at 6 p.m.

Dec. 17 sees the fifth annual Santa 5K in downtown at 9 a.m. and local churches caroling during the afternoon and evening hours. The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a Christmas Decoration Contest from Nov. 30 to Dec. 17. Voting takes place here.

Banner
Related Posts

Festival committee cancels many events

June 15, 2020

June 15, 2020

The St. Joseph Community Festival will look a little different this year. Due to COVID-19, the three day festival is...

Talk of the Town… Halloween Parade edition

October 24, 2019

October 24, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph official three questions. This week we talked to Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges about her...

April 14, 2019

April 14, 2019

2019 Town-Wide Garage Sales: Ashland  April 20 Moweaqua  April 25-27 Blue Mound  April 26-27 Mt. Zion  April 26-27 Sherman  April...

4 questions with vendor Janeration

August 11, 2023

August 11, 2023

Tell me about your business? What items/services do you sell?What started out as making hair bows for my daughter in...

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...

St. Joseph-Ogden play available for streaming

October 28, 2020

October 28, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden Drama Director Chandler Dalton had a very happy birthday. Dalton, who celebrated birthday on Oct. 24, spent the...

Fundraising planned for Splash Pad

September 23, 2021

September 23, 2021

Former Mayor BJ Hackler used to talk about three things when talking about why people should move to St. Joseph....

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...

Broadband survey to take place in Champaign County

June 3, 2022

June 3, 2022

A postcard invitation from the County Executive to complete a countywide broadband survey will be mailed this week to specific...

Changes to Garage Sale date announced

July 28, 2023

July 28, 2023

After discussing safety concerns with St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District Fire Chief Josh Reese, The Record has decided to move...

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....

4 Questions with Clay All Day

August 12, 2023

August 12, 2023

Tell me about your business. What items/services do you sell? Clay All Day is a mother/daughter duo that creates handmade,...

‘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...

Schott asks village for community Christmas tree

August 1, 2022

August 1, 2022

Lana Schott wants everyone in St. Joseph to have a Christmas tree. The ten-year-old asked the St. Joseph Village Board...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply