38 chamber member sponsors support parade, entertainment and after lighting

By Paula Scott

In keeping with Bluffton traditions, the 37th annual Blaze of Lights festivities will take place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 25. That makes it approximately as old as Black Friday shopping promotions. Shop Small Saturday is a comparative baby: it jumped on the bandwagon in 2010. 

Predating all of the above is the 168-piece Harry and Dorothy Ream folkart collection that was set up downtown last Saturday by volunteers working with the Village of Bluffton Cultural Affairs Committee. The Reams began making and spotlighting painted plywood Christmas figures in their rural Bluffton yard in 1938, when electricity was new to the neighborhood. Their work plus additional pieces by other Bluffton artists and thousands of lights in the towering evergreens at 102 N. Main St. is now a regional attraction that brings visitors to the village from Blaze night to January 1.

Shop Small Saturday
Although many football fans will be glued to their television sets for the noon OSU vs. Michigan game, Bluffton shops will have attractions for those who'd rather get out and about. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. carolers will be singing on Main St from Cherry to Elm.

5:00 p.m. Parade
Under the direction of Junior Weihrach and announced by Town Crier Kevin Gratz, Bluffton hosts one of the largest holiday parades in the area. The parade travels down Mai St. from the staging area at Snider Road to College Avenue. Following the parade, entertainment will be offered on the main stage in front of Bluffton Presbyterian Church and the Ream display.

The theme for the best float competition and for window displays is "A Journey Through Time."

6:00 Family Activities
After the parade, you can visit Santa in the alley across from the Ream display, ride the Romick Railway and ride the Allen County RTA Trolley for a tour of decorated homes all at no charge. Johnny Appleseed Park District will also be on hand at the Senior Citizens Center with displays and a project for the kids. 

6:30 p.m. Lighting Ceremony
Blaze traditions include a recitation of the Christmas story by the Town Crier followed by the lighting of the Ream display.

7:00 p.m. After Lighting on Vine
The Blaze After Lighting returns this year with selections of beer, bourbon pours, spiced wine and hot chocolate, along with local food vendors and live country music by Wastin’ Neon. These activities will take place under a heated tent on Vine Street.

Blaze of Lights festivities are coordinated by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Bluffton with the support of chamber member sponsors.

PLATINUM SPONSORS
The Bluffton Stone Company-Bluffton Paving Inc.
Blanchard Valley Health System
Bluffton University
CCR Realtors
Edward Joes - Financial Advisor Ryan P. Demarco
GROB Systems
Smith's Realty Professionals Inc.
Spectrum Salon

GOLD SPONSORS
Citizens National Bank
Lambert General Contracting LLC

SILVER SPONSORS
County Electric
Family Eye Care Clinic
Kira's Flipside Grill
SumiRiko Ohio, Inc.
Tyler Sutton State Farm Insurance
Wessler Engineering

RUBY SPONSORS
1861 Wine Lounge
Bluffton Icon
Mattew Ellerbrock DC
Ohio Means Jobs Allen County
Richard Boehr
Samuel W. Diller Co. LPA
Twisted Whisk Cafe
Webb Insurance Agnecy

GENERAL SPONSORS
Bluffton Auto Repair Center
Double D's Nuts
Ed Reichenbach State Farm
Gallery 323
Northwest Physical Therapy
Schroeder, Blankmeyer and Clinton LLC
Shannon Theatre
Stratton Auto Group

BLAZE AFTER LIGHTING SPONSORS
All Service Aeration
Eikenbary Landscape Co.
Greenhorn
Jazzercise Bluffton
Lisa Wenger, CCR Realtors
Sielschott, Walsh, Keifer, Regula & Sherer, Inc.