No, there weren’t real sleighs, nor real horses.

But there was lots of fun and good cheer at the city of Orange Beach’s first Sleigh Ride along the city’s award-winning Back Country Trail.

“I had several calls from people asking about sleighs, horses and the like,” said Nicole Woerner, the city’s Coastal Resources Planner. “One person called because her husband was allergic to horses and another called because of a allergy to hay. We used wheat straw.”

All challenges aside, the city put on an impressive show in a short period of time with a delightful night full of activities.

On Saturday, visit from Billy Claus at LuLu’s and the Nautical Night of Lights stringing from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach on Saturday night, and you have a magical Pleasure Island weekend.

The idea for the Sleigh Ride was born out of the city’s Haunted Hay Ride, a three-year event that got pushed to the back burner because of the oil spill.

“We were oil spill central,” Woerner said. “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.

“Then there was the Alan Jackson concert on the same night and people and businesses were strapped for cash. In October, we decided to can it.”

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 have 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.

Perhaps the highlight of the night was a live nativity scene that included an expectant Virgin Mary (she’s due in about 10 days).

The community response was outstanding, Woerner said.

“I think there are old lights sitting in people’s attics and many were donated to the city,” she said.

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.”

About $400 was received in donations and 200 items of food were given.

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