Dates & Times
- December 5 through December 31, 2020
- Open nightly
Location
The Enchanted Forest is an outdoor display at the Levee District downtown area outside of the East Peoria Civic Plaza, located at:
401 W Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611
There will be no indoor activities at the forest or visits with Santa in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Cost
Free admission
Details
Take a stroll through the lights of Folepi’s Enchanted Forest! Folepi’s Enchanted Forest features the Festival’s 35-foot tall Christmas tree, lighted trees and displays, and the Terry the Tractor parade float. The giant Christmas tree is a popular backdrop for taking photos of the kids and selfies of the kids at heart.
Official Tree Lighting
The lights on the giant Christmas tree will turn on for the season during a tree-lighting event featuring carols sung by the Caterpillar Employees Mixed Chorus at 5:45 pm Saturday, December 5, 2020. At approximately 6 p.m. Miss Festival of Lights 2020 Chloe Rogers will lead a countdown to light the tree.
Holiday Story Walks
Fondulac District Library will sponsor holiday story walks in the Reading Garden at the forest's entrance. The story walks consist of colorful printed storybook panels placed in the Reading Garden. The schedule is:
- Friday, December 4 through Thursday, December 10 - The Polar Express
- Friday, December 11 through Thursday, December 17 - The Snow Globe Family
- Friday, December 18 through Sunday, December 27 - The Night Before Christmas
Caterpillar Employees Mixed Chorus
Caterpillar, Inc. has sponsored the Employees Mixed Chorus since 1941, making it the oldest known corporate-sponsored activity of its kind in the United States. CEMC’s first official appearance was at a Christmas program in the Building HH Show Room Theater in East Peoria in December 1941.
The
chorus was founded as a musical outlet for all employees, retirees and dependents whose talents could then be enjoyed by the community as a whole. The chorus has various musical activities throughout the year, including a touring Spring Show performed at local retirement homes, appearances at Dozer Park, and miscellaneous Christmas performances.