UPDATE:  Santa will be in the alley between Roots and Webb Insurance (111 and 105 S. Main) after riding the in the antique fire truck in the parade.

The 35th annual Bluffton Blaze of Lights will be celebrated on the evening of Saturday, November 27 in downtown Bluffton. The Blaze, as it is known, begins with a festival--including a parade, entertainment, and ceremonies--that attracts some three to four thousand people. A great number have seen the Blaze many times, but let’s describe it for the first-time visitor and those reading from a distance.

The heart of Bluffton’s downtown is some two blocks dominated by 19th century brick buildings, including the three-story town hall and its clock tower. These blocks are festooned with lighted garlands and shop windows are filled with holiday decorations. Light poles are dressed up with more garlands and large lighted snowflakes. Holiday music plays during business hours as well.

These blocks serve as a runway to the main event, the Ream folk art display and the towering lighted evergreens in the Bluffton Presbyterian Church yard, 112 N. Main. Here you’ll find 160-some cutout wood figures created by Harry and Dororthy Ream, who started making the decorations for their farm in 1938. That’s when electricity came to rural Bluffton--and the growing display had visitors lined up to see it.

The collection was gifted to the Village of Bluffton and now includes dozens more cutouts, many of which were styled by artist Terry Mullenhour. The display also includes miles of lights. New in 2021 is the addition of a permanent feature, a gazebo in the center of the church yard.

Prior to the parade, shoppers, diners, and those not glued to the Ohio State-Michigan football game can enjoy Small Business Saturday in a village filled with independent businesses. Beginning at 5 p.m., the parade is emceed by the Town Crier, a.k.a. Kevin Gratz, and parade chairperson Junior Weihrauch. The 2021 Grand Marshall is Jerry Burkholder. 

From 6-7 p.m. The Blaze stage provides live entertainment including the Bluffton High School Show Choir and the musical duo of Wendy Chappell-Dick and Phil Gratz. Prior to the lighting of the display, the Town Crier will recite the Bible’s account of the birth of Jesus. At 7 p.m. the honorary switch hitter, 6th grader Lane Rossman, will turn on the Blaze of Lights, which will be illuminated through New Year’s weekend.

After riding in the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children in the alley between 105 and 111 S. Main St. Mini train rides will be provided by Romick Railway on Main Street, which remains closed for a period following the ceremonies.

The festival and display are the combined effort of many organizers and volunteers. The Village of Bluffton, its Cultural Affairs committee, and the Bluffton Fire Department are the engine behind the downtown decorations and Ream display. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce coordinates the parade, entertainment, and promotions including a residential lighting contest. The Bluffton American Legion Post 382 installs the animated Triplett Display (with sound track) across from Harmon Field, 137 E College Ave. Bluffton Clean Up is gathering volunteers at 7:45 p.m. to tidy up the downtown.

Each year the local business community provides funding to keep the Blaze tradition alive.

In 2021, Platinum sponsors are:

Bluffton Paving Inc. and Bluffton Stone Company

Bluffton University

Ohio Means Jobs of Allen County

Gold sponsors are:

Bluffton Hospital

Citizens National Bank

Ryan DeMarco, Edward Jones Financial Advisor

Smith’s Realty Professionals Inc.

SumiRiko Ohio Inc.

Lisa Wenger, CCR Realtors

Silver sponsors are:

Beacon Life Ministries

County Electric

Family Eye Care Clinic of Bluffton

Richard and Corinne Boehr

Springfield Fireworks

Wessler Engineering

Ruby sponsors are:

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio

Webb Insurance Agency

For more information about the Blaze of Lights, visit the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce at https://www.explorebluffton.com/blaze-festival and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OhBluffton.