In just six weeks Bluffton will celebrate “The night before Christmas.”

No, it won’t be Christmas eve. It’s the 33rd annual Blaze of Lights, a Thanksgiving weekend event, that draws hundreds of visitors to the community. This year’s Blaze is Saturday, Nov. 30.

The Blaze doesn’t just happen. It involves countless volunteers, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and the village Cultural Affairs Committee.

Here’s events leading up to the Blaze:

At 8 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, the lights and figurines will be placed on the Bluffton Presbyterian Church lawn. Volunteers are need and may contact Lynda Best at 419-296-2790.

The Bluffton fire department will hang garlands on Main Street in November and that date will be announced soon, according to Jon Kinn, fire chief. The garlands and lights are installed on 38 downtown light poles. Garlands will stretch along Main Street from College Avenue to Elm Street.

This year’s parade continues to accept participants. Click here for a parade application. The parade line up begins on Snider Road at 4 p.m. The parade is at 5 p.m. Application deadline to participate in the parade is Saturday, Nov. 16.

Downtown businesses will carry the Blaze theme into their retail window decorating contest.

• Click here for the chamber's website with more Blaze details.

A parade marshal and switch-hitter (person who turns on the lights) will be announced later, according to Paula Scott, chamber CEO.

The Ream folk art holiday lighting ceremony takes place at 7 p.m.  Watch the Icon for all the Blaze details as they continue to be announced in November.