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Blaze of Lights - just the facts, plus a photo series with Ronald McDonald -maybe you are in these photos

The 29th annual Bluffton Blaze of Lights isn’t history because it continues until Jan. 2.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR PHOTOS AND A VIDEO WITH AREA RESIDENTS POSING WITH RONALD McDONALD - AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

However, opening night was a success, as the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event packed Main Street five people deep to watch this year’s parade and stay for the Ream holiday folk art display lights to turn on.

Marriage proposals – a first (we think):
• Matt Schnipke, driving an Ottoville fire department vehicle, celebrating his and his wife’s 17th wedding anniversary, proposed for a second time to his wife, Jennifer, in front of the review stand. (She accepted the proposal.)

Just the facts:
• 100 units registered for the parade
• Including 18 floats and 7 fire departments
• 44 degrees on the Citizens National Bank clock
• One fire department (Benton Ridge) left the parade line up because of a fire call
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio parade marshals
• Paul Dyck, retired MHCO administrator, switch-hitter
• Over 200 tickets sold for horse and wagon rides

Float trophy winners:
• First place: Bethel Church of Christ
• Second place: Trinity Lutheran Church
• Third place: JD Snyder Excavating

Non-float trophy winners
• Chamber trophy: Shockwave Drum Corp, Findlay
• Cultural Affairs trophy: Dancers’ Elite
• Mayor’s trophy: Allen County Sheriff Mounted Posse

Ronald McDonald
• There is only one Ronald McDonald. The one-and-only was in the Bluffton Blaze parade. Prior to his Bluffton appearance he was in New York City, then Dayton, then Bluffton. From Bluffton he was headed to Indianapolis.

Ronald McDonald at the 2015 Blaze of Lights

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