At precisely 5:30 p.m. Friday night, thousands of twinkling lights sprung to life in Veterans Park in Fulton.
Spectators gasped. A few cheered. The Field of Joy's second year was off to a spectacular start.
"This is just beautiful," Lori Twillman said as she took in the scene, adding she couldn't pick a single favorite. "They're all kind of unique."
She's involved with three different groups sponsoring trees: First Christian Church, Twillman Feed and Super Sam. Families, nonprofits and businesses had the chance to sponsor trees in the Field of Joy, with funds raised supporting the Salvation Army of Callaway County. This year, more than 40 groups sponsored trees.
"I'm anxious to see it continue to expand," Twillman said.
One large group, clustered around a tree decked with basketball-shaped lights, stood out among the crowd. A placard in front of the tree explained it was in memory of Derek Fletchall.
"He's my son-in-law," Beth Shinner said. "He passed last year at age 33."
In fact, she added, it happened almost exactly a year ago. It was sudden. The group gathered at the tree consisted mostly of family members paying respects and adding ornaments to the tree.
Shinner added giant pine cones from her home state of Tennessee, which she'd covered in glitter.
"They look OK in the dark," she said while laughing.
This time of year is tough for her family, but putting up a tree together and looking around at all the other "In memory" trees, seems to have helped.
"It puts you in the Christmas spirit," Shinner said.
In the middle of the field towers the Community Tree, donated by the city of Fulton. While well-lit, the tree is light on ornaments. The city is hoping area residents will help decorate it. Just outside the field's entrance, there's a box in which to deposit ornaments to add to the tree.
Outside the field, the city's decorations - animated elves and other delights - twinkle in the light. Most colorful of them all is the Wish Tree, a giant tree completely coated in lights of every color.
"I love the big tree," Kirby Harris said. "It's almost solid with lights."
Residents also visited the Fulton Sun's Candy Cane House and had a photo opportunity with Santa Claus.
Former Callaway County commissioner Doc Kritzer said he was glad to see so many families out enjoying the night.
"It's a Friday night with nice weather, so here they are," he said.