Ashland opens the Candy Cane Trail - what to know and where to go

Samantha Whidden, Ashland Times-Gazette
·1 min read

Adding even more Christmas spirit to the city of Ashland, the new Candy Cane Trail opened on Sunday.

The Candy Cane Trail, located at Freer Field, features thousands upon thousands of lights. It is sponsored by Ashland's Grandpa's Cheesebarn in cooperation with BCU Electric. The Candy Cane Trail is also hosted by the Ashland County Park District.

Dick Poorbaugh, co-owner of Grandpa's Cheesebarn, said the company's goal is to give something to the entire city of Ashland to enjoy during the Christmas season that will help everyone understand the meaning behind the holiday.

City residents enjoy the festivities during the opening of the Candy Cane Trail at Ashland's Freer Park on Sunday.
City residents enjoy the festivities during the opening of the Candy Cane Trail at Ashland's Freer Park on Sunday.
Dick Poorbaugh, co-owner of Grandpa's Cheesebarn, which sponsored Candy Cane Trail, said the company's goal is to give something to the entire city of Ashland to enjoy during the Christmas season.
Dick Poorbaugh, co-owner of Grandpa's Cheesebarn, which sponsored Candy Cane Trail, said the company's goal is to give something to the entire city of Ashland to enjoy during the Christmas season.

The Candy Cane Trail's description reads, "Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that would be a symbol of Christmas. He shaped the hard candy into a 'J' for the birth of Jesus. He choose the color white for Jesus' purity and red for His blood shed for us. So, when you see a candy cane… turn it upside down to see what the candy maker saw."

Mayor Matt Miller couldn't help but share how proud he is of Ashland to the hundreds of guests at the Candy Cane Trail's grand opening.

"Ashland is really becoming a destination," he said.

Santa and Mrs. Clause were at the opening of the Candy Cane Trail on Sunday in Ashland at Freer Field. The trail will be open until the end of December.
Santa and Mrs. Clause were at the opening of the Candy Cane Trail on Sunday in Ashland at Freer Field. The trail will be open until the end of December.

Santa Claus, who was at the event, said he and Mrs. Claus might be looking to Ashland for their next home after witnessing firsthand the city's big holiday events this weekend.

"You know, I don't live here, but I think I'm going to start looking for a place for us to live here," Kris Kringle added, with Mrs. Claus nodding in agreement.

For those who missed the grand opening, don't fret. The Candy Cane Trail is until the end of December.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland opens Candy Cane Trail to the public