The Bluffton Blaze of Lights is more than just a one-day event. In addition to the events taking place on Nov. 26, it includes these elements that continue nightly through Jan. 1:
• the Ream folk art holiday display
• the Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
• Bluffton Main Street business district Christmas window displays
• a tour of Bluffton’s residential yard lighting
The stage is set for the 2016 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Blaze of Lights. This year’s event, the 30th annual Blaze, begin this weekend in downtown Bluffton. Here is the up-to-the-minute Blaze information.
Friday, Nov. 25, events
• Two free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at the Shannon Theatre. Showings are at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sponsors are Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn and Shannon Theatre.
• Holly Follies Variety Show, new this year, two performances: 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26, in the Bluffton Middle School cafetorium. Tickets are sold at the door for $5 adults and $3 children, free for youth 3 and under.
Saturday, Nov. 26, events
Blaze night entertainment
Following the parade (approximately 6 p.m.), and continuing until the lights go on (approximately 7 p.m.) three groups will entertain the Blaze audience.
• Bluffton High School show choir, directed by Kara Zink
• Bluffton University brass ensemble, directed by Dr. Roy Couch
• Ryan Strickler, keyboard, Buckeye Award, music winner
Ice sculpture
Ice sculpturer Paul Ahrens of Precise Ice, known as The Ice Man, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. Beginning at 3 p.m., as the crowd watches carve from ice.
Nov. 26 schedule
3-5 p.m. – Ice carving exhibition - Main Street
4p.m. - Food booths open
4 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5 p.m. – Parade
6 p.m. - Entertainment on Main Street
• Bluffton High School show choir
• Bluffton University brass ensemble
• Ryan Strickler
6:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7 p.m. – Dennis Morrison turns on the Ream lights
Immediately following the parade
• Horse and wagon rides and kiddies train rides
• Meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in the Senior Citizens Center
• Meet Ronald McDonald in front of the review stand
• Gift of Giving light show on East College Avenue
• 8 p.m. Holly Follies Variety Show - Bluffton Middle School cafetorium
Blaze parade
Junior Weihrauch is again this year’s parade coordinator. This year’s parade forms at 4 p.m. on Snider Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m.
Groups wanting in the parade may contact:
Junior Weihrauch
20791 State Route 68
Arlington, Ohio 45814
Or call him at: 419-365-5304
The parade route travels Snider Road south to Main Street and to College Avenue. It turns east on College and disbands at Triplett Drive.
Food
• Larson Barbecue (Todd Larson)
• Bluffton Senior Citizens offer their traditional Blaze supper from 4 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Their menu includes soups, sandwiches and homemade pie.
• Bluffton Lions Club offer a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Drive through pick up is in the Family Dollar parking lot, or eat in at the Presbyterian Church basement. Tickets are on sale from Lion members at $8.50 each.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be in the Blaze parade. Following the parade, they will meet with youth of all ages at the Senior Citizens Center.
Horse and wagon rides one night only
J.A. Smith’s Town and Country Carriage Service, Van Wert, will provide horse and wagon rides on the night of the Blaze. This is the only night that those rides will be offered.
Rides will start at the conclusion of the Blaze parade and will continue during the evening. Departure point for the rides is in front of Common Grounds coffee shop.
Tickets for horse and wagon rides are $4 for persons 11 and older and $2 for youth 10 and under. Children who can sit on an adult lap have no charge. Tickets will be sold at the front of Common Grounds. Ticket sales will begin during the parade. This year’s horse and wagon route will be on South Main Street. SHANNON Service Club will sell tickets inside Common Grounds.
Romick Railway
A ride for young children, the Romick Railway, will offer rides following the parade. The railroad will be located on Main Street near Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.
The Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
In its ninth season, the Gift of Giving light show extravaganza will be shown across from Harmon Field stadium on East College Avenue. The show will be viewed nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Based upon last year’s attendance, it is anticipated to attract an audience of over 5,000. On Blaze night, the show will start following the parade.
Map showing holiday lights
Residents with outdoor Christmas displays may place their residence on the 2016 Bluffton Christmas lights map.
The printer-friendly map will be posted on the Bluffton chamber website (www.explorebluffton.com) for the benefit of out-of-town persons interested in knowing where to go to view lights in Bluffton.
Printed copies of the map will be available in the Ream display red mailbox on the Presbyterian lawn.
The chamber has offered the free maps for several years. All Blaze sponsors are listed on the maps. Generally 500 or more maps are picked up, indicating the number of out-of-town visitors Bluffton has during November and December
...and during the entire Blaze season to Jan. 1
Senior citizens peanut brittle
Ohio’s best peanut brittle is available only in Bluffton and only in November and December (while supplies last). Members of the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center produce the candy each Monday in November. It is available for $5.50 a pound.
Deck the Hall Christmas cards
Beverly Amstutz has created her annual holiday greeting card. These are available for $1 each at Greg’s Pharmacy. This is the 16th year Amstutz has created a card. Previous year’s cards are also available at Greg’s.
New Ream display cutout
Terry Mullenhour, chair of the Village Cultural Affairs Committee, each year creates a new display piece to go on the Presbyterian Church lawn. She likes to keep it a surprise so that visitors can try to find it. Mullenhour says this year’s cutout is “new and old.” She created two cutouts based upon two holiday cutouts that for several years were on display in the Ada park. Look for these near the pond display in the rear of the churchyard.
