On the other Icon: 39th annual Blaze of Lights
On BlufftonIcon.com: 39th annual Blaze of Lights: Who, what, when and where
5:00 p.m. Parade - 6:30 p.m. Lighting Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. After Blaze
By Paula Pyzik Scott
The 2025 Blaze of Lights festival--the 39th annual event--features many Bluffton traditions and a few new ways to celebrate the holiday season. The Blaze of Lights is coordinated by Jim Enneking and Rene Gabriel of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce with the Bluffton Cultural Affairs Committee and the support of many individuals and organizations. A list of sponsors is below.
- Horse-drawn wagon rides return - Free and sponsored by GROB Systems
- Free RTA Trolley rides-- the 4th year for this treat
- Santa will visit with families in the little red house across from the Ream display; children may drop off letters to Santa through December 23
- Hope Railway rides on Main St. - Free thanks to Ebenezer Mennonite Church
- The After Blaze returns on Vine Street with a heated tent, food and beverages; live entertainment by Stedic Music is sponsored by CCR Realtors
SHOP SMALL SATURDAY
Before the Blaze, local businesses will be rolling out the red carpet for shoppers, and many will stay open late. The Chamber has collected the following special opportunities:
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Charmaine M. Spradlin, 74, worked for Associated Plastics
- Bulldog boys soccer win vs. Old Fort
- How Dillinger robbed a Bluffton bank
- Ada School Board recap: School fees waiver estimate is $57K, intervention and after-school program report
- Ada Barnyard Farmers results from 2026 Hardin County Junior Fair
- Rodeheffer awarded Choice One Engineering scholarship
Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Bulldog golf 3rd at final BVC tourney, 2nd overall
- Bulldog football win vs. Perry
- N. Main St. arrest and drug seizure on August 18
- Christian Nationalism poses problems for American democracy
- Weekend Doctor: When should you see an endocrinologist?
- Letter: Background regarding public meeting on data center moratorium
Friday, September 18, 2026
Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Bluffton Icon headlines, September 17
- Bulldog girls soccer 0-0 tie vs. Riverdale
- Bulldog boys soccer loss vs. Riverdale
- Roundhead poet publishes third book
- Bulldog volleyball wins in four vs. Riverdale
- Sept. 15 Ada Council: Impact of big ticket pool repair, public urination ban goes into effect
- Hall named 2026 OMLA Regional Administrative Assistant of the Year
- Play Bingo with Officer Penny at the Ada Public Library
- Adult Book Group books available at APL
- Ada Schools exceed state standards on 2025-2026 Ohio Report Card
- Oct. 6 ONU Trike-A-Thon will raise funds for St. Jude's
- Antibiotic resistance: More to learn