Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

This past Saturday, the Southwest Georgia Tinsel Trail lit up the Earle May Boat Basin with 149 trees.

“This year we had more trees and more people participate, compared to last year, when we only had 119,” said Jennifer Cannon, Bainbridge Decatur County Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Tinsel Trail Chairperson.

Although the Trail has only been lit since Saturday, these colorful trees are already drawing crowds from all over the area.

Cannon said people from as far away as Panama City Beach have already driven to see the creatively decorated masterpieces.

Chamber President Lauren Minor agreed, adding that the Tinsel Trail is not only a great community event for Bainbridge, but for the Southwest Georgia Region.

“People from Dothan and Boston, Georgia travel to see it,” she said.

With people traveling from out-of-town to see the trees, Minor and Cannon feel that the Tinsel Trail is a great opportunity for businesses to advertise.

“It’s a great way to give back to businesses who have given to you all year,” Cannon said. “It’s also a great form of advertisement, because the company name is beside the tree all month long.”

The trees will stay lit on the Tinsel Trail through January 3, and are lit up every night, beginning at sunset.

Cannon and Minor want to also use the Trail as an opportunity to promote non-profits, though.

Minor said in the past, churches have partnered with local non-profits, hosting toy drives on a designated evening, while the youth or church members give out hot chocolate.

Cannon encourages any non-profit who would like to be showcased or any church who would be interested in partnering with a non-profit to contact the Chamber.

“We really want to use the Tinsel Trail as an opportunity to serve,” Cannon said.

In the meantime, Cannon and Minor encourage everyone to drive by or walk the Tinsel Trail, as it is a safe, family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy.