The Blaze of Lights is more than just a one-day event. In addition to the events taking place on Nov. 24, 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 2012 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Blaze of Lights. This year’s event, the 26th annual Blaze, begins Saturday, Nov. 24, in downtown Bluffton. Here is the up-to-the-minute Blaze information.
Parade marshals – turn on the switch
Three Bluffton residents, each actively involved in several community activities, will be recognized this year.
Bev and Bob Amstutz are the Blaze parade marshals. Bev chaired the 2011 Bluffton sesquicentennial celebration. She served many years as the director of the Bluffton cultural affairs committee. Both she and Bob are past board members of the chamber.
Jon Kinn, Bluffton fire chief, will turn on this year’s Ream display lights.
John George - Blaze MC
John George, who has served as the Blaze master of ceremonies since 1995, will again perform that role. Dressed in his traditional town crier garb, George will announce events from the Blaze review stand on the Presbyterian Church lawn. He and Junior Weihrauch, Blaze parade coordinator, will announce Blaze parade entries from the review stand.
Ice sculpture - downtown entertainment
Ice sculpturer Chad Hartson of Ice Creations, from Napoleon, for the second year, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. He is one of America’s leading sculptors with national and international recognition. Beginning at 4 p.m., as the crowd watches, Hartson will work with a block of ice 40 by 20 by 10 inches and over the next 45 minutes will create an ornate snowflake. Hartson’s work is described as a the “ultimate cool.”
Nov. 24 schedule
4:00 p.m. -Ice carving exhibition by Chad Hartson
4:00 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5:00 p.m. - Parade
5:45 p.m. – Interview with Jon Kinn, who will turn on the lights
5:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
6:00 p.m. – Jon Kinn turns on the Ream lights
6:15 p.m. – Bluffton High School show choir performs
Meet Ronald McDonald
The official Ronald McDonald will be in this year’s Blaze parade. Following the parade, he will meet people downtown to will pose for photos. Jerry Lewis McDonald’s Restaurants sponsors his visit.
New holiday cutout
A new piece, created by Terry Mullenhour, joins the Ream display. It’s a Victorian lady holding a sign that reads: “Victorian Christmas.”
100-unit parade
This year’s parade forms at 4 p.m. on Snider Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m. A first, second and third prize will be awarded to the top floats, with each winner receiving a trophy. Judging takes place during the parade line up. Float winners will be announced during the parade. Parade units will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 24.
Junior Weihrauch, parade coordinator, said that this year’s parade could be the largest in Blaze history. Persons wanting to be part of the parade may contact Weihrauch, 20791 State Route 68, Arlington, Ohio 45814, or call 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
• County Kettle Corn (Crawfis family), Sports Warehouse alley
• First Mennonite Church youth group
• Dullin’ Dogs Express (Jeanne Ream and Val Phillips)
• BHS junior class post-prom committee
• Bluffton Senior Citizens will 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 will offer a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Meals are available at the elementary school. Meals may be picked up or eaten at the school. Tickets are on sale from Lion members.
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.
Pumpkin Vine Railroad
A ride for young children, the Pumpkin Vine Railroad, will start offering rides at 4 p.m. The railroad, which also was part of the 2012 Bluffton Arts and Crafts Show, will be located on East Elm Street near the town hall.
The Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
In its fifth 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.
Chamber website and Facebook
All Blaze updates are posted on the chamber website: www.explorebluffton.com. Free maps showing locations of light displays in Bluffton are also available to download and print from the website.
In addition, the chamber’s Facebook site is available for users to share with friends and get timely updates.
Main Street windows contest
This year’s Main Street retail window judging is similar to last year. One ballot will be given to each of the businesses that participate in the downtown garland project and has paid for garland. The ballots allow businesses to rate all windows in the contest on a scoring system to determine winners.
Ballots were already distributed and must be returned to Lauren Beasley at Citizens National Bank by Wednesday, Nov. 21. The winning business will be announced on the Blaze stage on Saturday, Nov. 24. A traveling trophy, on display at the bank, will go to the business lighting contest winner.
Businesses are encouraged to decorate windows based on this year’s Blaze theme: “A Victorian Christmas.”
Residential lighting contest
Any resident within the Village of Bluffton corporation limits may enter the residential contest. Cash prizes will be offered this year, to create a greater interest in the contest. Three prizes will be awarded:
• First place, a $200 cash prize
• Second place, a $100 cash prize
• Third place, a $50 cash prize
The judging date will be announced soon. The Blaze of Lights committee will judge the residential contest. To make certain your residence is judged e-mail: [email protected]. On the message line write: “Residential lighting contest entry.” In the e-mail message list your name and street address. The e-mail entry assures that your residence to be judged. However, judges may also consider displays not formally entered.
Map showing holiday lights
Residents with outdoor Christmas displays may place their residence on the 2012 Bluffton Christmas lights map.
The printer-friendly map will be posted on the Bluffton chamber website for the benefit of out-of-town persons interested in knowing where to go to view lights in Bluffton. (www.explorebluffton.com).
Printed copies of the map will be available in the Ream display red mailbox on the Presbyterian lawn. Printed copies will also be available at the Bluffton Marathon and other businesses.
The chamber has offered the free maps for several years. All Blaze sponsors are listed on the maps. Generally about 300 to 400 maps are picked up, indicating the number of out-of-town visitors Bluffton has during November and December.
To place your residence on the map, e-mail your street address to: [email protected]. In the announcement, state that you wish to be placed on the holiday lights map. Maps will be updated continually during this holiday season.
2012 Blaze sponsors
Twenty-five businesses assisted the Blaze with sponsorships. Those sponsors follow:
Gold - $1,500
• Bluffton University
• Jerry Lewis McDonald’s Restaurants
Silver - $500
• A to Z Portion Meats
• Bluffton Paving and Bluffton Stone Co.
• Bluffton Hospital
• Citizens National Bank
• DTR Industries
• Sielschott, Walsh, Kiefer & Regula, CPA
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
• Shannon Theatre and Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co.
Ruby - $300
• Chiles-Laman Funeral Home
• Family Eye Care
• Greg’s Pharmacy
• Kirtland Auto Sales
• Northwest Physical Therapy
• Smith Realty
• Tommy Tire
• Tower Automotive
Bronze - $150
• Bluffton Aeration Service
• Boehr Site Seeker
• First National Bank
• Jeanne’s Kitchen
• Mennonite Mutual Aid Society
• Reichenbach & Steiner CPA
• Samuel Diller Law Office
Blaze committee
Blaze members are: Lauren Beasley, Brandon Huber, John George, Ryan Lowry, Tracy Steele, Phil Zimmerly, Junior Weihrauch and Fred Steiner.
