Make certain you are in Bluffton on Saturday, Nov. 30. It's the 33rd annual Blaze of Lights and Shop Small Saturday in Bluffton. Here's the schedule, provided by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.
ACTIVITIES
Blaze of Lights Parade
5-6:00 p.m. Main St. from Snider Rd. to College Ave.
Staging begins 4 p.m. near the Bluffton Community Pool. More than 100 units led by honorary Grand Marshall John Murray. Parade honorees will ride in 1955 Ford and Chevy cars provided by Brad Cox. Town crier Kevin Gratz and parade manager Junior Weihrach will announce the parade.
Live Entertainment
6-7:30 p.m. FREE Blaze stage at Bluffton Presbyterian Church
Movement Church group with Karis Baderscher
Bluffton High School Show Choir directed by Kara Zink
Vocalist Stephanie Larcom and friends from Pandora Missionary Church
Bluffton University Brass Ensemble
Lighting of the Ream Folk Art Display
7 p.m. FREE Blaze stage at Bluffton Presbyterian Church
Town crier Kevin Gratz will read the Christmas story, introduce honorary “switch hitter” Josh Kauffman, who will illuminate the Ream Folk Art Display, and lead the singing of Christmas carols. The collection of cutout wood Christmas figures began with the work of Harry and Dorothy Ream in 1938. Additional cutouts are by Terry Mullenhour and other artists. The lights and folk art are displayed through January 1, 2020.
Visit with Santa
Approx. 5:30-9 p.m., FREE Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
After Santa and Mrs. Claus ride at the front of the parade, they will visit with children at the senior center. Have you been good this year?
Kiddie Train Rides
About 6:15-Close, $2.00 Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
“Fire Truck” mini train rides by Romick Railway. All ages can ride! 7th year at the Blaze.
Horse & Wagon Rides
6:30-9 p.m.
$2.00 children, $4.00 ages 13+ Tickets next to Shannon Theatre. Loading at Citizens National Bank. Rides by Town & Country Carriages. Managed by SHANNON Service Club.
SHOPPING
SHOP SMALL SATURDAY
Nov. 30 is the Blaze of Lights and Shop Small Saturday. That makes Bluffton the perfect place to spend the day. Thank you for supporting our local businesses.
SHOPPING PASSPORT
Spend $10 or more at 3 participating merchants to get a stamp and enter our Shopping Passport drawing. Pick up and turn in your passport at a “Passport Station” to enter a drawing for $250 in “Bluffton Bucks,” certi-checks that you can spend at Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce member businesses.
Bike Crazy LLC ***Passport Station
10 a.m.-7 p.m. 127 N. Main
All kinds of bicycles, accessories and apparel. Repairs, tune-ups, and bike fittings. Shop the shop that rides! (419) 659-2916
Black Lab Trading Co.***Passport Station
10 a.m.-8 p.m. 121 N. Main
Many in-store specials and sales. Free gift with $50 purchase on Nov. 30. A little bit of everything from handmade items by local makers to furniture and gifts. (419) 358-1155
Bluffton Senior Citizens Center ***Passport Station
9 a.m.-9 p.m. 132 N. Main
Handmade items for the home and gifts, including rugs, tote bags, doll clothes, and jewelry.(419) 358-8971
Book Reviews
9 a.m.-7 p.m., 123 S. Main
Used books with a mission! Bring a box for our inventory reduction sale. Supports world-wide relief work of the Mennonite Central Committee. (419) 358-6999
Boutique 415 at Polished ***Passport Station
10 a.m.- 4 p.m., 415 N. Main
Gift Card Special: spend $25, get a free gift. Countdown to Christmas: new sales added each week. Women’s apparel, scarves, gloves, shoes, jewelry, etc. (419) 358-0001
The Centre at Bluffton
11 a.m.-3 p.m. 601 N. Main
Holiday Showcase with local vendors, food trucks, raffle prizes and refreshments. Admission $3.00. (419) 358-8533
The Curling Iron
8 a.m.-2 p.m. 129 N. Main
Haircuts, color, highlights, texture waves, straightening, salon products. Joico hairspray $10 on Shop Small Saturday. Gift certificates make great gifts! (419) 358-1196
Et Cetera Shop
9 a.m.-7 p.m. 327 N. Main
9-11 a.m. Cookie walk. 12-4 p.m. Ornament sale. 4-7 p.m. Dollar clothing sale. Thrift store now located in the beautifully renovated glove factory building. (419) 358-4201
The Food Store ***Passport Station
9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 103 S. Main
Complete natural food store selling organic, whole, packaged, and frozen foods. Great source for stocking stuffers and host & hostess gifts. (419) 358-5411
Fresh Modern Fabric ***Passport Station
10 a.m.-2 p.m., 103 1⁄2 Vine St
Modern fabrics for sewing, quilting and crafting projects. Sold on Etsy and during open house events. See Facebook page for specials. (419) 358-0233
Gallery 323
9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m., 323 N. Main
20% off everything ALL day. Gallery featuring local artwork, including jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, cards, and more.
Roots by Strattons
111 S. Main; to be annouced
Spectrum Salon ***Passport Station
8 a.m.-4 p.m. 422 N. Main
Spa products and gift certificates for hair services, nail services, spa packages, massage, makeup and eyelash services, facials, etc. (419) 358-0556
Springfield Fireworks
9 a.m.-7 p.m., 490 Jefferson/OH-103
HUGE selection of fireworks and novelty items. The gift shop includes apparel, moccasins, fudge, and collectibles. (419) 358-3490
Ten Thousand Villages ***Passport Station
9 a.m- 7 p.m., 115 S Main
Buy one, get one 50% off on all ornaments and jewelry. Nonprofit and fair trade. Products from 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. (419) 358-7233
Town & Country Flowers ***Passport Station
9 a.m.-2 p.m.; 5-8:30 p.m. 124 N. Main
$5 off purchases of $30 or more. Christmas and everyday gifts and decor. Fresh and silk flowers, green and blooming plants. Enjoy our winter wonderland! (419) 358-4040
FOOD
Bluffton Senior Citizens Center ***Passport Station
4-7 p.m., 132 N. Main
Soup, sandwiches, and homemade pie. Served until it’s gone! (419) 358-8971
Bluffton Presbyterian Church
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 112 N. Main
Soup and sandwich benefit dinner to help with the cost of an accessibility van for Laura and Tyler From. (419) 358-5806
The Centre at Bluffton
11 a.m.-3 p.m., 601 N. Main
Food trucks are part of the Holiday Showcase of local vendors. (419) 358-8533
Dough Hook Meat Market
8 a.m.-noon, 4:30 p.m.-when the Blaze is over! 117 N. Main
During the Blaze: serving cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee. (419) 369-4264
Greenhorn
11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 4-9 p.m., 112 Vine
Bluffton’s newest restaurant! Delicious plant-based menu by Chef Jonah Agner. Serving ramen, chili, potato soup, appetizers and hot chai. (567) 226-4568
Luke’s ***Passport Station
11 a.m.-midnight, 133 N. Main
Live music: Kevin Ashba Duo, 7-10 p.m. Dinner special: Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese Burger. Coloring contest for kids. (419) 358-4486
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co. ***Passport Station
9 a.m.-9:30 p.m., 117 S. Main
Twelve core popcorn flavors and rotating flavors of the month. Sweet and savory choices. Great treats and great gifts! (419) 230-7606
Southgate Lanes
11 a.m.-midnight, 9700 N. Dixie Hwy.
Great for a snack, meal, or drink--just south of the village limits. Check out their tap and menu. (419) 358-6966
Twisted Whisk Cafe
7 a.m.-9 p.m., 101 S. Main
Homemade chicken & noodles, hot dogs, sausage pockets, hot chocolate, cider, Decorate a cookie activity. Christmas cut-out photo op. (419) 358-9622
FRIDAY
Bluffton Icon hosts two free showing of "It's A Wonderful Life," at the Shannon Theatre. Showings at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
