ASHLAND — The cold rain didn’t stop around 300 people from welcoming a dazzling new addition to the Christmas season in Ashland on Sunday.
Hot chocolate, caroling and horse-drawn carriages all helped the crowd embrace the Candy Cane Trail — a quarter-mile path through the woods at Freer Field decked out in lights and decorations.
“Ashland is really becoming a destination,” declared Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, fresh off the previous night’s parade, tree lighting and fireworks display. That event drew thousands.
He thanked Dick and Ronda Poorbaugh, owners of Grandpa’s Cheesebarn, for their monetary donation to make the Candy Cane Trail a reality.
“We wanted to give something to the whole town so they could have the joy of Christmas and understand the meaning of it — and giving is the meaning of Christmas,” said Dick Poorbaugh.
Sunday marked Candy Cane Trail’s first night. If you missed it, you can walk the trail any time before 9 p.m. each night through December. Walking the trail is free and open to the public.
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The mayor also thanked BCU Electric for electrifying the trail and Scott Trumpower of Mansfield-based Innovations in Lights for his work in installing the lights. Miller said there are more than a million of them, along with other various displays.
He finally thanked Mr. and Mrs. Claus for making the trek to Ashland from the North Pole to celebrate Candy Cane Trail.
“You know, I don’t live here but I think I’m gonna start looking for a place for us to live here,” said Santa, prompting laughter from the crowd gathered in the big, white barn at Freer Field.
The mayor promised to help him start the couple’s search.
