What we are!
Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland (LWW) is a small organization that puts on a holiday display each year in Horner Recreational Park, on the northern border of Lebanon, Illinois. We are a 501(c)3 organization, chartered for the sole purpose of bringing the display to the area, and to assist where we can – when we can.
Who we are!
Though small in number, we are made up of members from Lebanon and many surrounding communities that are truly passionate about doing what we do. We work year round to design, make, maintain, gather, and display all that you see when you drive through.
** We may be small, but we have a lot of friends! **
A bit of History:
Organized in October of 2007 as “Christmas in the Park” with the idea that Lebanon needed something to bring people to the area, visit our town, and also let them see the beauty of Horner Recreational Park. We found that people needed a truly nostalgic look-back at Christmas of yester-year. A simpler time, full of memories and ideas.
Our first display was from November 21, 2008 through December 27, 2008 consisting of 180 wooden cutouts and several large lighted displays (including the skaters, the train with depot, and waving Santa.)
2009 Home Town Award
In only our 2nd year (2009), Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland received the Governor’s Home Town Award for the work that had been done to not only present the display, but also in creating many events in the City of Lebanon that brought people together for a common cause.
A well deserved award, the crews over the years have done their best to keep up the tradition and to create new ones along the way.
We are proud of where we have been and look forward to a bright future. (Pun intended.)
Though we will continue to look back, we are also looking forward to the future. Since 2012 we are a “mixed” display with both nostalgic and modern items in our 9/10th mile long display.
In 2012, we added an animated light show to the display.
Originating at a home in northern Lebanon, the display was acquired and then moved to the park. It has grown every year! The current show (2023) uses some of the most advanced props and sequencing – all built and programmed right here in Lebanon, Illinois. 🙂
Though the display has changed over the years, parts of the original display can still be seen both in the current animated light show, and in other areas around the park..