The Blaze of Lights is more than just a one-day event. In addition to the events taking place on Nov. 26, 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 2016 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Blaze of Lights. This year’s event, the 30th annual Blaze, begin this weekend in downtown Bluffton. Here is the up-to-the-minute Blaze information.

Friday, Nov. 25, events

• Two free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at the Shannon Theatre. Showings are at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sponsors are Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn and Shannon Theatre.

 • Holly Follies Variety Show, new this year, two performances: 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26, in the Bluffton Middle School cafetorium. Tickets are sold at the door for $5 adults and $3 children, free for youth 3 and under.

Saturday, Nov. 26, events

Switch hitter
Dennis Morrison will turn on this year’s Ream holiday folk art display lights. He is one of the long-time Blaze volunteers. He is the chair of the Lions Club Wheels’ Fest, and member of the Bluffton American Legion Post 382. He is a 1965 Bluffton High School graduate.

Parade marshal
Richard Jordan is this year’s parade marshal. Jordan has been in the insurance business for 55 years. He has served many years on the Bluffton Public Library board, held leadership positions at St. John’s UCC, active in the Bluffton chamber, Mason Lodge, Swiss Community Historical Society and Allen County Democrat party. He is a 1951 Bluffton High School graduate.

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
• Bluffton University brass ensemble, directed by Dr. Roy Couch
• Ryan Strickler, keyboard, Buckeye Award, music winner

Ice sculpture
Ice sculpturer Paul Ahrens of Precise Ice, known as The Ice Man, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. Beginning at 3 p.m., as the crowd watches carve from ice.

Nov. 26 schedule
3-5 p.m. – Ice carving exhibition - Main Street
4p.m. - Food booths open
4 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5 p.m. – Parade
6 p.m. - Entertainment on Main Street
   • Bluffton High School show choir
   • Bluffton University brass ensemble
   • Ryan Strickler
6:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7 p.m. – Dennis Morrison turns on the Ream lights

Immediately following the parade
• Horse and wagon rides and kiddies 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
• 8 p.m. Holly Follies Variety Show - Bluffton Middle School cafetorium

Blaze parade
Junior Weihrauch is again this year’s parade coordinator. 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
• 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. 26.

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
• Larson Barbecue (Todd Larson)
• Bluffton Senior Citizens 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 offer a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Drive through pick up is in the Family Dollar parking lot, or eat in at the Presbyterian Church basement. Tickets are on sale from Lion members at $8.50 each.

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. SHANNON Service Club will sell tickets inside Common Grounds.

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 ninth 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.

Main Street windows contest
This year’s Main Street retail holiday window contest winners will be announced during the Blaze. Last year’s winners were Curling Iron first place; Webb Insurance, second place; and Town and Country Flowers, third place. The winning window receives a traveling trophy. Downtown businesses vote for the best windows.

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.

The e-mail 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
Residents with outdoor Christmas displays may place their residence on the 2016 Bluffton Christmas lights map.

The printer-friendly map will be posted on the Bluffton chamber website (www.explorebluffton.com) for the benefit of out-of-town persons interested in knowing where to go to view lights in Bluffton.

Printed copies of the map will be available in the Ream display red mailbox on the Presbyterian lawn.

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

...and during the entire Blaze season to Jan. 1

Senior citizens peanut brittle
Ohio’s best peanut brittle is available only in Bluffton and only in November and December (while supplies last). Members of the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center produce the candy each Monday in November. It is available for $5.50 a pound.

Deck the Hall Christmas cards
Beverly Amstutz has created her annual holiday greeting card. These are available for $1 each at Greg’s Pharmacy. This is the 16th year Amstutz has created a card. 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. Mullenhour says this year’s cutout is “new and old.” She created two cutouts based upon two holiday cutouts that for several years were on display in the Ada park. Look for these near the pond display in the rear of the churchyard.

Blaze sponsors
Twenty-seven businesses assisted the Blaze with sponsorships this year.

Major Sponsors
Bluffton University
Hancock County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau
JD Snyder Excavating
Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce

Silver Sponsors
Bluffton Hospital
Bluffton Paving and Bluffton Stone Co.
Citizens National Bank
Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
Smith’s Realty Professionals
Shannon Theatre and Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co.
Wessler Engineering

Ruby Sponsors
Bluffton Famers’ Market
DTR Industries
Family Eye Care
First National Bank
Greg’s Pharmacy
Bluffton Icon
M&R Plumbing and Heating
Sielschott, Walsh, Kiefer & Regula, CPA
Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue

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.”