Celebrating 40 years of East Peoria’s Festival of Lights

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — East Peoria is marking 40 years of history, lighting the way for East Peoria's Festival of Lights.

Starting back in 1984, the festival has been a staple in the city since, welcoming the holiday season with a bang.

"You can really feel a town of 25,000 come together for the same cause. There's a lot of joy in the air and there's a lot of buzz in the town. Those are things that we're really looking forward to. It's hard to put in words what it is all about," said Kory Brown, the chairman of the Festival of Lights.

The city's festival mascot, FOLEPI, has been wearing the suit and hat for six years, but was also in the crowd on day one.

"I was two years old for the first parade," said Tim Cundiff, the man behind the FOLEPI outfit. "I have vivid memories, incredible memories of watching the parade of lights with the family bundled up on cold, snowy nights, lining the streets of East Peoria."

FOLEPI is an acronym for Festival of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois. Cundiff said portraying that character, one of his childhood icons, has been an honor he will never take for granted.

"I hear kids of all ages shouting 'FOLEPI, Hey, there he goes. Look at that soldier.' That's what's special and it's like, I'm him. I get to play this role, and it's really a unique, special character," said Cundiff.

Cundiff said portraying the role, however, doesn't come with some worries. "There's the pressure, but there's also the adrenaline and the joy that you feed off of when you hear the fans, when you hear the folks along the parade route cheering your name and cheering us on."

This year is seen as even more special and unique, as the Festival of Lights team welcomes two new floats, as well.

"The wreath that sits atop Fond du Lac Drive, we've made that one into a 2-D display that we can take down the road. That one kind of honors our rich history and where we come from. The festival wreath has been in the logo for generations," said Brown.

The second new float? Well, only Santa can spill that secret.

For those who miss the parade on Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m., there are 38 additional days to see the lights in action at FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland. It's a drive-thru experience, open from Nov. 29 through Jan. 5. Tickets can also be booked now to be taken through the Winter Wonderland in a horse-drawn carriage.

Click here for more details.