Rock Spring Park
November 23-December 26, 2018
M-F 6-9PM • S-S 5-9PM
$7 suggested donation per vehicle
A thousand points of light (and then some)
Afew enlightened citizens organized an effort 26 years ago, started by a small group, to decorate Rock Spring Park for the holiday season. Volunteers designed, constructed, and erected displays and placed lights throughout the park. Through the years, the displays have been maintained and expanded to continue the visual experience of the season. This has now become a tradition and a feeling of obligation to constantly try to improve the overall experience for area citizens.
Volunteers setting the displays and supplying the power for the many colored lights throughout the park are known as the “Grandpa Gang.” Most of those volunteers are retired and willing to work primarily during the morning hours to set up and dismantle the event, beginning around the second week of September and going through the end of February. We always welcome new volunteers and encourage new ideas to improve or expand. Our group comes from many communities throughout Madison and Jersey counties.
Last season, nearly 31,000 people in 8,900 vehicles passed through the park, stationed by 450 volunteer workers. Their generosity, and that of our sponsors, resulted in Christmas Wonderland Inc. being able to return $50,000 to different organizations, charities and community projects.
More than 2.5 million lights await the public for viewing again this year, along with a few new displays and light creations using LEDs. Our walkthrough night this year is Monday, Nov. 26, with a suggested donation of $1 per person. The other nights from Nov. 23 through Dec. 26 are drive-through nights, with hours from 6 until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 until 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a suggested donation of $7 per car and $1 per person on buses or larger vehicles.
Christmas Wonderland Inc. wishes to thank the volunteers, our sponsors, and you, the public, for making our efforts worthwhile. Now, turn off your lights, turn on the holiday music at 87.9 FM on your radio, and enjoy!
2018 Christmas Wonderland GRANDPA GANG MEMBERS
Al Cowgill
NOT PICTURED:
Bernie Spahr
Rhonda Lewis
Nate Edsall
Richard Mandry
Allen
Thom Schwan
Joe Sasek
Paul Stone
Christine Croxton
Tim Croxton
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AL COWGILL , President
RHONDA LEWIS, Vice President
RUTHENE ELE, Treasurer
BRETT STAWAR, Board Member
MIKE HAYNES, Board Member
DICK ALFORD, Board Member
MILDRED DAVIS, Board Member
Mike Bates
Larry Stover Harry Kulp
Remembering
Dick Disher 1955-2018
Bud Rain
Allan Watson
Bill Hiller
Bert Mary
Dick Alford
Gary Sanders
Jerry Oglesby
Jim Heinemann
Tom Spahr
Will Patridge
Ken Aldridge
Tom Hohenstein
Hoagy Hogan
Robert Garrisson
David Davis
R L Christeson
John Scoggins
Phil Whitaker
Jim Witt
Jon Fosha
Joe Puent
Gary “Shep” Sheppard
Coalson
Away in a Manger
Glory to God in the highest, A nd on earth peace, goodwill toward men! ~ Luke 2:14
Corporate Sponsors
• 1st Mid America Credit Union
• AdVantage
• Alton Community Service League
• Alton Fire Dept.
• Alton Police Dept.
• Alton Refrigeration
• Anderson Trees
• Carrollton Bank
• Cedarhurst of Bethalto
• Christenson Information Svcs.
• CNB Bank & Trust
• Davis Apartments
• Dugan Tool & Die
• Evergreen Place
• Gent Funeral Home
• Global Brass
• Hamilton Fabricating
• Hayner Public Library
• Homestead Financial Mortgage
• John Hopkins Family
• Kiestran-Chiapelli-Hinthorne
• Liberty Bank
• Maneke Jewelers
• Olin Corporation, Winchester Div.
• Phillips 66
• Piasa Motor Fuel
• Principia College
• Robert Sanders Waste Systems
• Roberts Motors
• Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab
• Sign Magic
• Stutz Excavating, Inc.
• The Telegraph
• Wegman Electric
Volunteer Groups
• 1st Mid American Credit Union
• 1st Presbyterian Church
• Alton CVB/Friends of Haskell
• Alton Godfrey Rotary
• Alton High Class of ‘64
• Alton High National Honor Society
• Alton High Orchestra
• Alton Juneteenth Committee
• Alton Optimists
• Behavioral Health
• Boy Scout Troop 101
• Bright Hope Chapter Eastern Star
• Christmas Wonderland Board/ Grandpa Gang
• Community Volunteers
• Cub Scout Pack 3001
• Dunbar Lodge 97
• East Alton Rotary
• East End Improvement
• Friends of the ’60s
• GFWC Wood River Women’s Club
• Grafton Methodist Church
• Home Depot
• Ladies Order of Hibernians
• Mississippi Valley Christian School
• North Alton-Godfrey Business Council
• Otter Creek Historical Society
• Power of the Giraffe
• Phi Tau Omega Sorority
• Riverbender Community Center
• Scheffel Boyle
• YWCA of Alton
Enchanted Forest
Food Providers
• Cedarhurst of Bethalto
• My Just Desserts
• Village Inn Cafe
• Fazoli’s
• Papa John’s
• Jimmy John’s
• lmo’s
• Subway (West Delmar)
• Taco Bell
• Senior Services Plus
• Fast Eddie’s Fried Chicken
• Godfrey Meat Market
• Josephine’s
• Johnson’s Corner
• Castelli’s Restaurant at 255
• Alton Sports Tap
• Julia’s Banquet Center
• Decaro’s
• Evergreen Place
• Joe K’s
• Applebee’s
• Best Western Premier
• Regal Beagle
• Bluff City Grill
• Argosy
• Mac’s Time Out
Deck the Halls
Silent Night
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Christmas Greetings
We hope the holidays ring in the best of everything for you! At this joyous time, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal patronage throughout the past year and we look forward to serving you again in the years to come.
Sam Roberts
John Roberts
Jack Phegley
Tom Tavolacci
Mike McAfee
Pam Bick
Johnny McClennan
Bruce Boyer
Rachel McHugh
Teresa Carter
Tony Michelon Jr
David Chandler
Tom Mills
Brent Cleveland
Paul Coleman
Kelsey Murphy
Bryan Collins
Mike Jacober
Jacob Rau
John Cook
Rachel Rushing
Tim Cunningham
Tony Schomburg
Jeremy Darr
Bob Schuman
Tony Skalnican
Sylvia Skinner
Bobbi Steinkuehler
Cindy Edwards
Fred Steinmann
Alan VanBooven
Kelly Freeman
Danny VanMeter
Rudy Goheen
Becky Wayman
Curtis Winder
Sally Woolsey
Bob Hausman
Shannon Hedin
Jim Hogg
Jim Holman
Mike Fischer
Ralph Hall
Greg Vaughn
Sean Cobb
Richard Dona
Dennis Gobble
Ralph Hall
Anna Henschen
Jeremy Judge
Tomas Lira
Bob Reynolds
Travis Reynolds
Clayton Tolen
Marcus Watson
Ryan Boyd
David Chapman
Je rey Eby
Ryan Field
Alexis Fisher
Matthew Fox
Cassandra Grissom
Kory Ramsey
Sonny Irvin
Chris Pfei er
Patrick Havlin
Hunter Hook
Terry Lockyer
Donald Prusaczyk
Daniel Swiecicki
Alexander Taylor
Morgan Wallace
Je Loyet