By Paula Scott

On November 26, Bluffton will celebrate the 36th annual Blaze of Lights, a longstanding tradition rooted in the ingenuity and creativity of a local farming couple, Harry and Dorothy Ream. This year’s theme for the float competition and downtown business decorations is “A Candyland Christmas.”

The centerpieces of the Blaze celebrations are a 5:00 p.m. parade and the Ream Folk Art Display lighting ceremony featuring the Town Crier. Please note that from year to year some details change. Below is a listing of activities scheduled for 2022.

New this year are free ACRTA Trolley rides starting at Citizens National Bank. A heated tent with live jazz, food and alcholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be located on Vine Street.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be located in the alley across from the Blaze stage. Returning this year are meals at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.

ALL DAY - SHOP SMALL SATURDAY
Bluffton is filled with small businesses, making it a perfect place to celebrate “Shop Small Saturday” on November 26.

4:00 P.M. - BLUFFTON SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER MEALS
From 4:00-7:00 p.m., the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center, 132 N. Main, will serve hot dogs, sloppy joe and shredded chicken sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and chili, and homemade pies.

4:00 P.M. - ROVING CAROLERS
Four groups of carolers including the Lima Bean Chorus and Bluffton High School chamber choir will roam downtown, serenading shoppers and diners.

5:00 P.M. - BLAZE OF LIGHTS PARADE
More than 100 units are expected in the 2022 Blaze of Lights parade. Coordinator Junior Weihrauch notes that there are 20 floats signed up–more than usual perhaps because of the “Candyland” theme. Units include the Bluffton High School marching band, Findlay Shrine clowns, Zenobia Jeepsters and Shockwave Drum Line. Weihrauch sees “Good parade weather and lots of sunshine–we’ll take it.”

Parade units will gather at Snider Road and Main Street. The end of the parade route is at Main St. and College Ave.

Town Crier Kevin Gratz will announce the parade from the Main Stage at Cherry St. and Main. This is Gratz’s fourth year serving as the Town Crier.

GRAND MARSHALL - DICK RAMSEYER
The parade’s Grand Marshall will be Dick Ramseyer, a 1957 graduate of Bluffton College who worked in the schools advancement division for some 14 years following graduation, left to work in Colorado for 20 years, then returned to Bluffton. He has served on numerous boards, perhaps most notably the Bluffton Lions Foundation and Bike and Pedestrian Pathway Board.

APPROX. 6:00 P.M. ENTERTAINMENT AND CEREMONIES
After the parade, Gratz will emcee entertainment and Blaze of Lights ceremonies.

SWITCH HITTER - ELNORA STRATTON
The 2022 Switch Hitter–the person designated to turn on the Blaze of Lights–is Elnora Stratton, wife of Jim Stratton, the founder of Stratton Greenhouses. In 2010, her son Steve wrote for the Icon, “ I'm not sure my mother knew what she was getting into, but then again they were a team, and she was also the bookkeeper. After all, she and her sister Nettie Ferrall had struck out on their own to The Ohio State University as the first in their family to get degrees, both in nursing.”

BHS SHOW CHOIR PERFORMANCE
The Bluffton High School Show Choir, 30 singers and dancers in grades 9-12 under of the direction of Kara Zink, will perform their traditional Christmas show including Baby It’s Cold Outside, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Please Come Home for Christmas and an arrangement called Joy.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY
As Town Crier, Kevin Gratz will recite the biblical Christmas story prior to the lighting of the Ream folk art display.

SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children in the alley between Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Ryan P DeMarco, CRPC™/111 N. Main and Sieschott, Walsh, Kiefer, Regula and Sherer CPAs/113 N. Main.--after they ride the Bluffton Fire Department’s antique fire truck in the parade.

FREE TROLLEY RIDES
The trolley provided by the Allen County Regional Transit Authority will be in the Blaze parade and provide rides following the lighting of the Ream display.

Riders board the trolley in front of Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main St. The rides are free.

“AFTER LIGHTING”
A Vine Street “After Lighting” event will take place in a heated tent. Music will be provided by the Jerry Szabo Trio and the Pinup Project.

Food will include truffle mac and cheese, jalapeno poppers, nuts, donuts and baked goods. There will be beer, bourbon pours, spiced wine, spiked and non-spiked hot chocolate.

Fire pits will help guests stay warm.

ORGANIZERS AND SPONSORS
Blaze of Lights activities are coordinated and promoted by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Jim Enneking. Decorations including the Ream Folk Art Display are provided by the Village of Bluffton, the Cultural Affairs Committee and its volunteers, and the Bluffton Fire Department. 

Sponsors for the 2022 Blaze of Lights festival are 

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Blanchard Valley Health System
Bluffton Stone Company-Bluffton Paving Inc.
Bluffton University
CCR Realtors-Lisa Wenger, Realtor
GROB Systems

GOLD SPONSORS

Citizens National Bank
Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Ryan P. DeMarco, CRPC
Smith’s Realty Professionals
SumiRiko Ohio, Inc.

SILVER SPONSORS

BlufftonIcon.com

County Electric

Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue

Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co.

Spectrum Salon

RUBY SPONSORS

Dick Boehr

Fortman Insurance Services

Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio

Ohio Means Jobs Allen County

SHANNON Service Club

Twisted Whisk Cafe

Webb Insurance