FROM BLUFFTON ICON - The 34th annual Blaze of Lights will put a new spin on Bluffton traditions.

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and village Cultural Affairs Committee have updated celebrations to include a video Town Crier presentation, caravan tour of holiday lights, and a free drive-in movie. Dan Bowden is this year's switch hitter who will turn on the holiday lights.

"You can't stop Christmas from coming" is the 2020 Blaze of Lights theme, notes Paula Scott, the chamber CEO: "We are very excited about our modified events, which are designed to help keep families and friends safe."

• Holiday music and decorations will be enjoyed throughout downtown Bluffton. 
• From Nov. 28 through Jan. 1, the Blaze of Lights display – including the Ream folk art collection –will be illuminated at 112 N. Main St. (Bluffton Presbyterian Church).
• Lighted garlands and snowflakes will line the main business district.
• Downtown businesses will compete in a decorating contest.

New events are scheduled for Dec 5. From 6:30-7:30, you can join Santa's Caravan to tour a 6-mile loop of holiday lights.

Santa will lead the procession of vehicles in an antique fire truck. Decorated vehicles are welcome. Participants need to register with the chamber at [email protected].

At 8 p.m. on Dec. 5, Bluffton Family Recreation will host a free drive-in movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Spaces are limited and registration is required. For more information, email [email protected].

That evening, a Town Crier presentation by Kevin Gratz including the Christmas story and a performance by the Bluffton High School Show Choir will premiere on Facebook and YouTube.

The Blaze of Lights is made possible by generous volunteer and donor support. "It's especially difficult to ask for time and money right now," notes Scott.

"But the response has been tremendous. High school sports teams joined individuals who have been putting up the Ream display for decades.

Chamber board members created new events allowing social distancing. Businesses, the American Legion, Fire Department, and Cultural Affairs Committee volunteers are setting up beautiful displays.

And dozens of donors have shown that the Blaze of Lights is essential to our community."