By all accounts this year's Blaze was a "sell out" for local food vendors. Temperatures hovering in the high 50s-low 60s not only brought out the crowds but attracted a higher number of parade entrants than in previous years.
Tied to the larger crowd, food vendors were happily suprised that they were running out of food. Jeanne Ream, selling hot dogs on Vine Street closed up shop after selling her last 'dog shortly after the parade ended.
A benefit spaghetti dinner for Butch Sanders and his wife, Debb, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Bluffton Sportsmen's Club depot on Spring Street.
Butch has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer from prolonged acid reflux. Butch and Debb are parents of Dee Helms, Chad Sanders, Nikki Dunifon, and Thad and Ryan Wingfield.
First place - The Black Lab
Second place - Citizens National Bank
Third place - Groves Collectibles and Antiques
Those are the winners of this year's Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce downtown holiday window decorating contest.
Casting ballots this year were all 43 downtown busineses that were part of the new garland lighting project. Each business had one ballot.
The Black Lab receives a traveling trophey that it will keep until next year's contest, according to Lauren Beasley, chairperson of the lighting contest.
It all starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday in downtown Bluffton.
It's the 25th annual Bluffton Blaze of Lights. This year's Blaze continues a tradition launched in 1986 when the Harry and Dorothy Ream outdoor Christmas folk art display moved from rural Jenera to Bluffton.
Trying to decide whether to decorate your lawn for Christmas?
Any resident within the Village of Bluffton corporation limits may enter the 2011 holiday residential lighting contest sponsored by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Cash prizes will be offered this year, to create a greater interest in the contest.
Three prizes will be awarded:
o First place, a $200 cash prize
o Second place, a $100 cash prize
o Third place, a $50 cash prize
