This year’s Bluffton Blaze of Lights will be trimmed back from previous celebrations.

Despite that, you can't help but admire the 2020 Blaze theme: “You Can’t Stop Christmas From Coming."

Joe Sehlhorst, Bluffton council member and village rep to the committee, explained some of this year’s plans during Monday’s council meeting.

- Council's Sept. 28 agenda is attached at the bottom of this story -

The Blaze takes place Saturday, Nov. 28, and there will be no parade, however Shop Small Saturday will take place.

The Blaze committee is still planning a lighting ceremony on the 28th with more details on the way. The plan will first be submitted to the Allen County Health Department for its review.

With two fewer trees on the Bluffton Presbyterian Church lawn due to wind storms earlier this year, the committee is looking at options on where the extra 24 strands of lights could be placed.

Options include the Howe Tennis Courts, Buckeye park, The Centre and entrances to the village.

Volunteers are invited to set up the Ream Holiday Folk Art display on the Presbyterian Church lawn on Saturday, Nov. 7. A Nov. 14 rain date is set.

What is Bluffton’s village cultural affairs committee?
Known best as the caretaker of the Blaze of Lights Ream Holiday Folk Art cutouts, the committee originated in the 1970s as a village committee to inspire arts in Bluffton.

At the beginning of 2018 council member Sehlhorst asked to be council’s representative to the group.

Sehlhorst wants the cultural affairs committee to touch lots more than the Blaze. These areas encompass arts and culture, entertainment, education, economic development and what he terms “unlimited opportunities.”

Sehlhorst continues to invite other volunteers in the community to step up and participate in this group. Contact him at [email protected] or 419-302-7975.

Here’s a brief overview of Sehlhorst’s vision for the committee, which the Icon posted in 2018:

Purpose:
• Engage community service groups, in collaborative change-making efforts
• Create an opportunity for creative partnerships
• Increase the role and positive impact of community actions
• Connect people, provide opportunities for participation and foster creativity

Mission statement
• Economic development by improving quality of life in Bluffton and surrounding communities
• Enhance property values and create quality of life through recreation, community events and leadership

Vision
• Government, community, industry, university, church and organizations can all benefit by working, communicating and planning together to preserve and ensure a future for coming generations living in Bluffton

Strategy
• Identify, connect and inspire new ideas, collaborate, accelerate togetherness by action, expanding imagination and greater organizational capacities among local groups.