public ,” Danzl said . “ So that is where the Holiday Open House started as a way for volunteers to meet me . The holiday lights started before that .”
The Bunker Hill Area itself is a star because of the history that it brings with the buildings on the site .
“ The actual Bunker Hill Historic Area started because of the Vermilion Chapel . The Chapel was where it was built in 1886 and it is the foundation of the area and every other building has been moved into the park ,” Danzl said . “ The Neff Grocery store was from the Newtown Area and the school was down the road from the store and we put them on a flatbed truck and moved them into the park . The buildings are all authentic to Vermilion County and every one has a link to Vermilion County history .”
The Holiday Open House will run from 2-8 p . m ., giving people plenty of time to see the history and see the lights to start the holiday season at Kennekuk .
“ The Holiday Open House is usually the first Sunday in December and I start it early in the afternoon for people who do not like driving in the dark ,” Danzl said . “ You can come out after the sun sets to see all of the decorations and the lights inside or drive through and see the lights on the outside .
“ This is the kickoff event to come in , learn about the history and see the decorations . Inside the Neff Grocery , I will have cookies and hot cider and in the Print Shop , we will have holiday cards that were printed by the machine in the shop and it can be decorated with stickers by the kids we will have the Atwood home , which will be open for people to see and tour . As soon as it is dusk , the
A Christmas tree sets the mood in the Neff Store at Bunker Hill ’ s Holiday Lights event . Provided photo .
ILLIANA MAGAZINE — WINTER 2022 21