“Happy Holidays!”
Plans for the year’s Bluffton Blaze of Lights are underway. This year’s 28th annual Thanksgiving weekend event is Saturday, Nov. 29, using the theme “Happy Holidays!”
A PARADE APPLICATION FORM IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
The Blaze is an event sponsored by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Fred Steiner, chamber director, said, “Most people think of the Blaze as a one-evening event. It’s really the entire holiday season because several events take place until New Years.”
The Blaze committee started planning this year’s event in July. Much of this year’s activities are in place. Here’s an update:
4 p.m. Pre-parade events
Two events are planned from 4 to 5 p.m. on Main Street prior to the parade.
New this year will be a wood carving demonstration by John Guagenti of Bluffton, owner of Track Carvings. He will be carving a large Christmas art piece that will be sold at the Blaze.
Guagenti will work beside another familiar Blaze artist, Chad Hartson of Napoleon, who will create a holiday ice sculpture. Guagenti will stop work during the parade, and then continue his carving art exhibit from 6 to 7 p.m.
5 p.m. Parade
The parade will form at 4 p.m. on Snider Road at the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool parking area and at The Centre parking lot. It will begin at 5 p.m. The parade route is south on Main Street to College and on to Triplett Drive.
As of mid-September, 60 units are already pre-registered. Based on previous year pre-registrations, this could be the largest Blaze parade ever, possibly reaching over 100 units. For example, the 2008 parade had 60 units.
The parade is open to any community group, organization or business. A parade application form is an attachment at the bottom of this story.
Junior Weihrauch of Arlington is again this year’s parade coordinator.
Among parade entries already registered includes the Bluffton American Legion honor guard, a Corvair club from Defiance, Findlay Shock Wave drum line, Bluffton High School band, Five-Star Baton Corp, Scarlet Stutters of Defiance, Romick Railway, Life Flight mini-helicopter, High-Octane Drum Line of Lima, Glory Strutters of Findlay, WXAX FM radio van, 106.3 The Fox radio van, Findlay Shrine Clown group and the Flag City Classic Car Club.
In addition several organizations will have floats in the parade, and many area community fire trucks and EMS units are in the parade. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will bring up the tail end of the parade.
This year’s parade grand marshal and “switch hitter” are not yet named.
6 p.m. Entertainment
Several new entertainment groups are scheduled to perform from 6 to 7 p.m. While not all the details are sety the performance will include the Bluffton High School show choir, directed by Kara Zink. New to this year’s entertainment will be a dance corp. from Dancers’ Elite Studio of Bluffton. Deb Garlock is the studio owner. Additional musical performers are not yet confirmed.
Horse and wagon rides will be available. The S.H.A.N.N.O.N Service Club will sell tickets during the parade and following in Common Grounds coffee shop. The wagon rides begin at 6 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will receive youngsters of all ages following the parade at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. The Center will have food for sale during the evening.
Also following the parade, the Romick Railway, a kid’s ride, will be set up in the Greg’s Pharmacy area of Main Street. Rides will continue throughout the evening.
6:55 p.m. Christmas story
John George, master of ceremonies and town crier, will provide information about all Blaze events from the Blaze stage starting at 4 p .m. He will assist Junior Weihrauch as they introduce parade participates.
George will interview the parade marshal and switch hitter (the person who turns on the Ream holiday folk art lights). George will also read the Christmas story from Luke 2 prior to the lights being turned on.
7 p.m. Reams lights turned on
The several thousand lights of the Ream display, located in the Presbyterian Church lawn, will turn on at 7 p.m. Following that several Bluffton Main Street businesses will continue to be open for persons attending the Blaze.
Gift of Giving Light Show Extravaganza
Bluffton’s annual free Christmas light show will be open to holiday visitors in the parking lot across from Harmon Field on College Avenue. The show will continue nightly through Jan. 1.
United Way 50/50 drawing
The Bluffton-Beaverdam-Richland Township United Way will conduct a 50/50 drawing this fall. The drawing for the winner will take place on the Blaze stage prior to the Ream lights being turned on. Tickets will be available the night of the parade.
Blaze committee needs information
Several other groups are planning events, such as selling food, during the Blaze. The Blaze committee may not be aware of all those events. The committee asks that those groups or businesses contact the committee with their plans. Contact the committee at [email protected] or call Fred Steiner at 419-889-3065.
Ream holiday display set up
Terry Mullenhour, chair of the Village Cultural Affairs Committee, is planning set up Saturdays in early November. Those Saturday dates and times will be announced soon. Volunteers are needed to assist in the set up of the Ream display. Contact Mullenhour at 419-358-0458 to provide volunteers.
Main Street holiday garlands
Jon Kinn, Bluffton fire chief, said the fire department plans to hang holiday garlands on Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Senior Citizen peanut brittle
Ohio’s best-tasting peanut brittle will again be available during the holidays. The senior citizens begin their peanut brittle making on the first Monday of November.
Holiday lighting contest
Two contests are planned again this year. The “Happy Holidays!” is encouraged to be used by contestants entering the contests.
• Residential contest – details will come soon on the categories for judging residential holiday lights. The contest is open to anyone within the village limits. Monetary prizes will be awarded.
• Downtown contest – a downtown retail window display contest is also planned. Businesses who have holiday garland are automatically entered into the contest. A first, second and third place award will be presented. Lauren Beasley is the contest coordinator.
Saturday with Santa
Santa will visit Bluffton several times this holiday season. Here’s his schedule:
• Saturday, Nov. 22 – Town and Country Flowers, 10 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Nov. 29 – Blaze of Lights – Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at Senior Center following the parade
• Saturday, Dec. 6 – Greg’s Pharmacy, 10 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Dec. 13 – Citizens National Bank, 10 a.m. to noon
Map showing residential displays
The chamber will again create a map showing locations of residential displays in Bluffton. That map will be on the chamber website and in several businesses. The free maps will also be in the red mailbox on the Presbyterian church lawn. Persons wanting to make certain their display is on the map should contact: blufftonchamber@gmail .com
Blaze committee members are John George, Junior Weihrauch, Lauren Beasley, Ryan Lowry and Fred Steiner.
Persons wanting more Blaze information can go to the chamber website: www.explorebluffton.com
