Trail of Lights still glows at Dell Children's Hospital

While the main Trail of Lights has gone dark, a smaller version is still twinkling at Dell Children's Hospital.

For some, Christmas wouldn't be the same without a walk under these lights. The displays appear almost as old as the parents sharing the tradition of the Trail of Lights with their kids.

"We're taking it all in. It's pretty cool,” said parent John Hernandez.

Everything you see is original to the trail, just in a different place.

It’s located in what's called the healing garden at Dell Children's Hospital. It's a first for the Trail of Lights Foundation to have pieces of the trail located off site. They did this knowing it may be the only chance for the families here to see it this year.

Jon Hernandez and his five year old son Kooper may spend Christmas in a hospital room.

"He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma July 3rd. He's had his left leg amputated at the hip September 21st and we're still here doing our routine, fighting,” Hernandez said. "Something like this helps break up the monotony of being stuck in a room. It helps cheer him up. He's been kind of down lately. It will help him cheer up a little bit. We'll be alright."

The hospital has four floors, so just like the hospital, the display is multi-level. The kids can see it from every angle. Children who are too sick to go outside are able to look down from the windows that line the garden.

Kooper's favorite display was the triceratops. The same goes for nine-year-old John.

John and his family have been at the hospital since October 9th.

"He had some brain surgeries, but he's on his road to recovery. He's doing well,” said mom Melinda Aldacl.

Keeping the kids' spirits up during the holidays is a goal of the Trail of Lights Foundation, but this project was also meant to bring cheer to the staff.

"The staff, this is a 24/7 job. They don't always get to make it to the trail. So they get to experience it as well. It warms our heart,” said Trail of Lights Foundation Board Member Mark Williams.

"It's great they're able to do that for these kids,” said Aldacl.

The display will be up from dusk till dawn until after the New Year.