February 12, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Ogden Festival to take place Saturday

Kelly Cooper wants residents of Ogden to know that their town’s festival is bigger and better than ever.


“I would hope that people would expect to have a fun filled day and enjoy their time in our little town,” Cooper said.

The event will take place Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.


The event includes a car show, pancake and sausage breakfast, a lunch at the Methodist church, carnival rides, laser tag, live bands, food vendors, bicycle parade, petting zoo and an escape room.


“I feel like the dedication and the various things that are offered through out the day helps keep people engaged,” Cooper said.


Cooper and the festival committee begin planning months in advance.

“The continuous planning and execution of planning helps,” Cooper said.


Cooper said the biggest thing that has helped the festival grow is people who have attended previously telling people about their experiences.


“It makes us very excited and relieved when people are enjoying themselves,” she said. “It makes us proud to see all the hard work pay off.”


Cooper said she hopes her fellow residents attend the event and have a good time.
“It should be a fun filled day,” she said.


One of the events is an escape room run by Onward Ogden at the Ogden United Methodist Church.


The event will run all day Saturday with sign ups to reserve a spot starting at 9 a.m and the first group beginning at 10 a.m. The cost is $5 per person.


“Escape rooms are a fun, interactive activity,” said Onward Ogden member Dina Fox.


This is the second year for the event and Fox said last year’s had great participation from residents.


The theme this year is a Once Upon A Time fairytale adventure and will room offers varying sets of challenges from simple observation to manipulative and mental puzzles. 


“Our event is strictly planned, prepared and hosted by community volunteers and while certainly not professional escape room experts, we’ve done our best to provide some fun and entertainment for the community,” Fox said.


  The escape room is a fundraiser for the Onward Ogden Events Committee. 

“We will be using any funds raised to purchase holiday lights and decorations to “Light the Parks” in Ogden,” Fox said. “We hope the community will enjoy the display later this year.”

Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

We are live so you don’t have to be. Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs. No public...

5 questions with Brian Brooks

December 15, 2024

December 15, 2024

1. What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?My favorite childhood holiday memories started each year at Thanksgiving. My mom had...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess candidates: Ivy Jo Johnson

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer? Ivy’s favorite part of summer is going to the lake with her family....

A letter to the residents of St. Joseph from Jim Page

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

There has been a lot of discussion over kitchen tables and online about the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). A...

Philo Exchange Bank President named 2024 Banker of the Year

July 5, 2024

July 5, 2024

AMELIA ISLAND, FL – During their Salute to Leadership Program at their annual conference, Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) awarded Kevin...

SJO advances to Regional title game

June 5, 2021

June 5, 2021

After a most unusual year that saw no postseason contests in any spring sports, 2021 is much different in that...

Live at Ogden Village Board, Sept. 5, 2024

September 5, 2024

September 5, 2024

I am here so you don’t have to be. It’s a jammed packed house. Maybe for the zoning? They are...

Five question Friday with SJO senior soccer player Will Page

September 9, 2022

September 9, 2022

What is the best part about playing soccer for SJO? The community and fans are good, and my teammates are...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 22 2025

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Consent agenda approved as presented.Approving the recommendation to go to bid for streets and sidewalk repairs. These are sidewalks and...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

I am watching on Zoom so you don’t have to. (I was sick today or else I would be in...

Treasurer looks to return property to citizens

February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ staff will be at the Saint Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 7, 2026...

Challenging schedule testing SJO girls’ basketball early on

December 16, 2024

December 16, 2024

The first month of the season for the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball has featured a challenging schedule and some quality...

‘PVO is an outstanding district’

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Todd Wilson is thankful. Thankful for his time at Rantoul Township High School. And thankful for the opportunity to serve...

St. Joseph grade encourages parents to keep kids home if sick

January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025

St. Joseph Grade School is reminding parents to keep their children at home if they are sick. “Unfortunately this time...

Fruhling-Voges to retire from public office, endorses Page for Mayor

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Tami Fruhling-Voges has announced she will not be running for re-election as Mayor of St. Joseph. “I am ready to...

Comments
Leave a Reply