ASHLAND — Hundreds amassed near what has been Ashland’s BalloonFest field on Saturday. Instead of hot air balloons, though, the crowd waited for the lighting of what is quickly becoming one more beloved Ashland tradition: kicking off Candy Cane Trail.
Organizers promised to deliver a bigger and better Candy Cane Trail kickoff ceremony this year, in an effort to top last year’s Guinness World Record feat.
“The display that you’re about to see light up tonight — please Lord light it up — when you see it lit up, it will actually be bigger than ever before. So we’re actually breaking our own world record,” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
On Saturday, the kickoff came replete with all the expected elements — hot cocoa, family photos, caroling by Calvary Baptist’s choir and a million twinkling lights and several displays depicting Christmas scenes.
But the evening also came with a few surprises. Like the giant LED screen that played scenes from favorite holiday films, fireworks and fluffy snowflakes that seemingly fell on cue as the crowd counted down from 10.
There was even an AI Santa Claus who greeted Miller, capping a video made by city staffers Jason Counts and Amanda Furman.
Some history
The first iteration of Candy Cane Trail came in 2023, following an inspiring walk taken by Rhonda Poorbaugh, co-owner of Grandpa’s Cheesebarn. Using some of the Poorbaugh’s $100,000 donation in 2021, the city partnered with others to make the vision a reality.
The trail originally went through the woods on an existing walking trail, electrified by BCU Electric. In 2024, the installation grew with a looped walking trail and hundreds of lighted Christmas tree structures. (That’s what earned the Guinness World record.)
The Poorbaughs hope to keep the tradition alive each year.
“I just think this is the time that we need to celebrate the birth of our Savior, and to be full of joy and peace. Not sadness, not problems, not troubles, let’s just enjoy it,” said Dick Poorbaugh.
See the lights through December
Candy Cane Trail will remain open daily throughout December, at no cost. The trail will close at 9:30 p.m. each night. (The last night to catch the lights will be Jan. 1.)
The trail begins at either the old white barn and historic house off Center Street (the address is listed as 1301 Park St.) or at the Ashland County Parks District building, which is also listed as 1301 Park St.
Either way, you’ll end up where you started.
