ON TWO crisp December nights, headlights glowed softer, and the air smelled faintly of pine as something new twinkled to life at Tims Ford State Park. Where summer campers usually gather beneath the stars, nearly 50 Christmas trees stood dressed in lights, tinsel, and small-town pride, guiding cars through the campground. The inaugural Sleigh Bell Trail, the brainchild of Franklin County resident James Cantrell, brought neighbors together and hinted at a tradition just beginning.
Each year, Cantrell and his wife traveled to Huntsville’s Big Spring Park to walk a trail lined with decorated trees. One night, he found himself wishing Winchester had something like that, too.
Living beside Tims Ford State Park, he already had a location in mind. In July, he went to the park’s head ranger and floated the idea. It started as a small walking trail, but as more people got involved, the vision grew into a drive-through route using the campground’s one-way circle drive.
Cantrell went door to door to local businesses, made Facebook posts, and leaned on park staff and the chamber to help spread the word. Slowly, something unexpected happened: People said yes.
Nearly 50 businesses, churches, farms, and organizations signed on to decorate trees or displays for the first year. A church built a 15-foot illuminated cross draped in ribbon. A construction company rolled in a dump truck with a towering inflatable snowman. Farms decorated tractors, while utilities, churches, and small businesses added their own touches.
“I worked for the Franklin County Sheriff ’s Department, so we did one with little plastic handcuffs and thin blue line flags,” Cantrell said. “But probably my favorite was that cross. It was just spectacular.”
The experience began at the campground entrance, where a live nativity greeted families on Saturday and Sunday nights. Children climbed out of cars to pet gentle animals, sip hot chocolate, and take photos. Santa Claus and the Grinch made appearances along the route, with Santa handing out candy canes and greeting each car.
Cars lined up early, even before sunset. On opening night, families began pulling in around 4:30 p.m., and the line grew so long that some spent 45 minutes driving through it. Many stopped on their way out just to say thank you. One couple in their 80s loved it so much they drove through twice.
When the lights finally went dark and the park grew quiet again, Cantrell stood back in awe.
“The only word I can use is awesome. My heart couldn’t have gotten any fuller.”
Already, he’s planning bigger and brighter, with hopes for 75 displays next year and two weekends of the live nativity. Beyond the numbers, the Sleigh Bell Trail has created a new gathering place for the season. GN
