February 1, 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

Heritage Junior High Honor Roll

November 9, 2020

November 9, 2020

Thanks to Appl Sanitary for sponsoring our honor rolls! Heritage Junior High has released the list of honor roll students...

Talk of the Town with Mayor Ray Cunningham

August 25, 2019

August 25, 2019

Recently, Homer lost its grocery store and the Main Street Belly Deli. Mayor Ray Cunningham discusses how Homer is hoping...

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

November 11, 2025

November 11, 2025

Public comment Boy Scout Eagle Scout project. Asking the board if they have an interest in a bat box at...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Alayna Kelly-Mathey

August 9, 2024

August 9, 2024

We asked our Little Prince and Princess candidates 5 questions. Here are their answers. What is your favorite part of...

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...

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 SJO School Board, Feb. 24, 2025

February 24, 2025

February 24, 2025

Principal Gary Page saying some kids really like the online Spanish class. Some do not.  Page saying it obviously doesn’t...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Amelia Buckley

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Camping What do you want to be when you grow up?The tooth fairy What...

Vendor profile: The Ribcage

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

1. Tell me about your business. Locally owned and operated BBQ 2. What has been the most challenging part about...

Saturday’s SJO sports roundup: Franzen fares well in Peoria

September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024

Detweiller Park in Peoria is where every high school cross-country runner in Illinois wants to endits season at. It’s the...

Get to know our Little Prince and Princess Candidates : Remington Casad

August 10, 2024

August 10, 2024

What is your favorite part of summer?Going swimming and having fun outside on the playground What do you want to be...

Live at Village Board, Nov. 23

November 23, 2021

November 23, 2021

We are live at village board. Where we will discuss the Splash Pad and failed lift stations that cause sewer...

5 things you don’t know about me… Deklan Quinn

August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

Deklan is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

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...

SJO football hosts Vandalia in state quarterfinal showdown

November 15, 2025

November 15, 2025

Getting a home playoff game for the St. Joseph-Ogden football team didn’t see likely when the IHSA announced its playoff...

Comments
Leave a Reply