in process

Here's everything you need to know about Bluffton's Blaze of Lights taking place on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The Blaze of Lights is more than just a one-day event. In addition to the events taking place on Nov. 28, 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 2015 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Blaze of Lights. This year’s event, the 29th annual Blaze, begins Saturday, Nov. 28, in downtown Bluffton. Here is the up-to-the-minute Blaze information.
Friday, Nov. 27 - free movie at Shannon Theatre
Tommy Tire Sales and Stratton Auto Group present two free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at the Shannon Theatre. Showings are at 1:30 and 4 p.m.
• The following takes place on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Switch hitter
Paul Dyck will turn on this year’s Ream holiday folk art display lights. As a retired administrator of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio, he represents MHCO, which is celebrating its 60th year in existence.
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.
Blaze night entertainment
Following the parade (approximately 6 p.m.), and continuing until the lights go on (approximately 7 p.m.) three groups will entertain the Blaze audience.
• Bluffton High School show choir, directed by Kara Zink
• Dancers’ Elite, Bluffton dance studio, directed by Deb Garlock
• Jim Boedicker
Ice sculpture
Ice sculpturer Chad Hartson of Ice Creations of Napoleon, for the fifth year, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. 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.”
Visit with the Grinch
New to this year’s Blaze is a visit from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. You can meet the Grinch (and have a photo with him) from noon to 3 p.m. at J.J.’s Touch of Sun Tanning Salon, 324 N. Main St. The Grinch will also be in the Blaze parade.
Nov. 28 schedule
4:00 p.m. – Ice carving exhibition - Main Street
4:00 p.m. - Food booths open
4:00 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5:00 p.m. – Parade
6:00 p.m. - Entertainment on Main Street
   • Bluffton High School show choir • Dancer Elite dancers • Jim Boedicker
6:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7:00 p.m. – Paul Dyck turns on the Ream lights
Immediately following the parade
- Horse and wagon rides and kiddie train rides
• Meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in the Senior Citizens Center
• Meet Ronald McDonald in front of the review stand
• Gift of Giving light show on East College Avenue
100-plus unit parade!
Junior Weihrauch, parade coordinator, said that this year’s parade could be the largest in Blaze history. Over 90 units were registered as of Nov. 20. This year’s parade is estimated to last 60 minutes. To demonstrate this year’s parade size, in 2008 the parade had 40 units.
Six parade trophies awarded
This year’s parade forms at 4 p.m. on Snider Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m.
• Three float trophies will be awarded (first, second and third place)
• Three trophies for other units will be awarded (new this year)
• Mayor’s Choice • Village Cultural Affairs • Bluffton Chamber
Judging takes place during the parade line up. Winners will be announced during the parade. Parade units will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 28.
Groups wanting in the parade may contact:
Junior Weihrauch
20791 State Route 68
Arlington, Ohio 45814 or call him at: 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
• Larson Barbecue (Todd Larson), Vine Street north of The Black Lab
• 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. (or until sold out). Drive-through pick up takes place in the Family Dollar parking lot, or eat inside the Bluffton Presbyterian Church basement. 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.
Thank you to S.H.A.N.N.O.N Service Club for selling tickets and assisting horse and wagon riders getting on and off the wagon this year.
Romick Railway
A ride for young children, the Romick Railway, will offer rides following the parade. The railroad will be located on Main Street near Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.
The Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
In its eighth 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.
We encourage persons to “like” the chamber’s facebook so that you may receive immediate Blaze of Lights 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. The ballots allow businesses to vote to determine winners.
Ballots were distributed Nov. 20, and must be returned to Citizens National Bank by Friday, Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. The winning business will be announced on the Blaze stage on Saturday, Nov. 28. A traveling trophy, on display at the bank, will go to the business lighting contest winner.
Residential lighting contest
Bluffton’s residential holiday lighting contest prize money totals $500 this year.
Judging on Dec. 5
Judging takes place on Saturday, Dec. 5. Residents wanting their displays judged must send a request to [email protected]. The e-mail request must have the family name and address listed. Or, residents may mail their request to be judged to: Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 142, Bluffton, OH 45817.
The e-mail or mailed entry assures that your residence will be judged. However, judges will also consider displays not formally entered.
Residential holiday lighting contest categories:
First place overall - $150 prize
Second place overall - $100 prize
Third place overall - $50 prize
Mayor’s choice (chosen by Judy Augsburger) - $50 prize
Best religious - $50 prize
Best “use of lights” - $50 prize
Best “minimal” use of lights - $50 prize
The contest is open to any residence inside the Bluffton village limits. Winners will receive Bluffton chamber gift certificates, which may be used in any Bluffton business.
In addition, winners will be listed on the village holiday light map. The free maps will be posted on the chamber website, available in businesses and in the red mailbox on the Presbyterian Church lawn.
Map showing holiday lights - WATCH FOR MAP TO BE POSTED ON THE ICON
Residents with outdoor Christmas displays may place their residence on the 2015 Bluffton Christmas lights map.
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 500 or more 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.
...and during the entire Blaze season to Jan. 1
Santa Claus coming to town
The chamber has scheduled Santa’s visit to Bluffton two times in addition to the Blaze of Lights night. Here are those dates and locations:
• Saturday, Dec. 12 – Santa will be Bluffton Family Recreation, 215 Snider Road, from 10 to 11 a.m. He will then visit several Main Street businesses from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Saturday, Dec. 19 – Santa will be in The Dough Hook, 117 N. Main St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Santa will also be at the Friday, Dec. 11, chamber breakfast in the town hall.
Senior citizens peanut brittle
Ohio’s best peanut brittle is available only in Bluffton and only in November and December (while supplies last). The candy is produced each Monday in November by members of the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. It is available for $5.50 a pound.
Deck the Hall Christmas cards
Beverly Amstutz has created “A Christmas from the Past” greeting card. These are available for $1 each at Greg’s Pharmacy. This is the 15th year Amstutz has created a card. This year’s card has her children on it, from a 1978 scene, when Bob worked at TWA and Bev taught elementary art. All previous year’s cards are also available at Greg’s.
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates
Available in any amount, these may be purchased at Citizens National Bank. The gift certificates may be used anytime in the next 12 month in any Bluffton business, or may be redeemed for cash at Citizens National Bank. They make great Christmas gifts.
New Ream display cutout
Terry Mullenhour, chair of the Village Cultural Affairs Committee, each year creates a new display piece to go on the Presbyterian Church lawn. She likes to keep it a surprise so that visitors can try to find it. We’ll give you a hint: look for two little boys playing a board game.
Blaze committee
Blaze members are: Lauren Beasley, John George, Ryan Lowry, Phil Zimmerly,
Junior Weihrauch and Fred Steiner
2015 Blaze sponsors
Twenty-nine businesses assisted the Blaze with sponsorships this year.
Gold - $1,500
• Bluffton University
Diamond - $1,000
• Hancock County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau
Silver - $500
• Bluffton Hospital
• Bluffton Paving and Bluffton Stone Co.
• Bluffton McDonald’s
• Citizens National Bank
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
• Smith’s Realty Professionals
• Shannon Theatre and Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co.
• Wessler Engineering
Ruby - $300
• Bluffton Famers’ Market
• Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
• DTR Industries
• Family Eye Care
• First National Bank
• Greg’s Pharmacy
• M&R Plumbing and Heating
• Sielschott, Walsh, Kiefer & Regula, CPA
Bronze - $150
• Boehr Site Seekers
• Bluffton Aeration Service
• Bluffton Icon
• Common Grounds Coffee Shop
• Don Jose Mexican Restaurant
• Ed Reichenbach State Farm
• Faith Investment Services
• Fresh Modern Fabric
• Edward Jones
• Stratton Auto Group
• Tommy Tire Sales
Special thanks to the families of Ropp and Mary Em Triplett for their continued support of “Gift of Giving” and two Sunset Drive displays, “The Good Samaritan,” and “Bell Choir.”