ORANGE BEACH — The city put on an impressive show Friday with a delightful night full of activities on the city's award-winning Back Country Trail.

The city's annual Haunted Hayride was canceled because of problems dealing with the oil spill and the fact there were so many other activities that same night, Oct. 30.

"We were oil spill central," said Nicole Woerner, Coastal Resource Planner for Orange Beach. "The last three years we've done the hayride. The spill happened and we've been swamped."

Planning meetings for the hayride, scheduled for July, never happened because Woerner and others with the city were busy handling problems related to the spill.

With oil spill problems more manageable, city leaders started thinking of another event to take the place of the hayride.

"We decided to to a Sleigh Ride," Woerner said. "It would help lift the spirit of the community."

Friday night eight trailers, one leaving every five minutes, took visitors for a free ride through a magical world of lights and sounds. About 15 seperate light displays greeted them along the path including a tunnel of lights and Santa's workshop.

"We had everything from Jesus to Santa to the Grinch with his mountain," Woerner said.

Before the sleighs left, Gulf Shores High School's chorus and band entertained with Christmas selections. Peace Lutheran Church's choir also provided entertainment on the trail.

It was also a night for giving. Riders were encouraged to bring nonpersishable items to be donated to the Christian Service Center's food bank.

"There are so many familes in need," Woerner said. "We hope to this will provide help for those families."

Shipp's Harbor grill also provided hot chocolate and cookies, free of charge, to riders.