The people of Collinsville will not have their Christmas plans derailed by frosty temperatures.

People enjoying Christmas at Willoughby Sunday, Dec. 8 / Submitted photo

Residents and visitors showed up in force Friday and Saturday to take part in the Christmas in Collinsville event in uptown Collinsville, despite temperatures hovering around 20 degrees. The weather was no warmer Sunday, but that didn’t stop Collinsvillians from going to the city’s bucolic farm for the Collinsville Area Recreation District’s first “Christmas at Willoughby.”

An estimated 250 people enjoyed hayrack rides, visits with Santa Claus, making ornaments, complimentary hot chocolate and hot cider, as well as cookies and cakes at Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve on Sunday. The day included a performance by the bell choirs from Holy Cross Lutheran School in Collinsville.

Visitors who warmed up in the farmhouse saw the home decorated in 1940s-style, courtesy of the Collinsville Garden Club. Admission for the event, which was open to residents and non-residents, was $3 per person, with free admission for children 2 years-old and younger.

The number of people who attended the event on a frigid day impressed Elizabeth Davis, CARD marketing/communications coordinator. “Sunday was a very cold day and it was the first time we’ve ever had a winter event at the farm. I honestly thought we’d have maybe 50 people,” Davis said. “It just goes to show that people want — and enjoy– these kinds of events from their park district.”

Those who had breakfast with Santa on Saturday did so in the warmth of Ravanelli’s Restaurant. The event, also sponsored by CARD, included a hot breakfast buffet and children getting their photo taken with Santa Claus. The children also received a goodie bag that included an admission pass to Splash City Waterpark for 2014.

CARD Special Event Coordinator Shelly Crehan said the event sells out each year weeks before the registration deadline.