You should soon be able to read a book on Main Street Bluffton at anytime after the sun goes down. Main Street will be bright enough.

This week, approximately 1,406 linear feet of new Christmas garland, 13 four-foot lighted snowflakes, and 19 lighted pole wraps are being hung by the Bluffton Fire Department. The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the project, which has taken over one year to complete.

It's all in anticipation of this year's 25th annual Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Blaze of Lights. (The lights will not be turned on until the week of Thanksgiving.)

Here's a final breakdown of costs for the project:
$4,407 for 13 lighted snowflakes (paid for by sponsors)
$11,987 for garland (paid for by 43 participating businesses)
$5,249 for shipping, extra lights, pole wraps (paid by the chamber)
$21,643 for the entire project

Also:
* 13 light poles will have snowflakes and unlighted pole wraps
* 29 poles will have no snowflakes and lighted pole wraps

This is the first time since the Ream display was first set up in downtown Bluffton that Bluffton's downtown will have a new lighted presence for the Christmas holidays.

What about the old garland?
Businesses own their own old set of garland. These may be used in anyway the businesses see fit, so long as they are not hung in place of the new garland.

In addition, the fire department has a couple dozen 12-foot strands of lighted pole wraps that will no longer be used. These are for sale for $10 a strand from the fire department.