This year's Blaze has the "ultimate cool." And you may even take it home if the price is right.

New to this year's Blaze is a presentation by ice sculptor Chad Hartson of Ice Creations, from Napoleon. He is one of America's leading sculptors with national and international recognition.

Beginning at 4 p.m., as the crowd watches, Hartson will work with a block of ice 40 by 20 by 10 inches and over the next 45 minutes will create an ornate snowflake. The work will then be auctioned.

Hartson's work is described as a the "ultimate cool."

Entertainment downtown during the Blaze
4:00 p.m. -Ice carving exhibition by Chad Hartson -
The ice work will be auctioned off prior to the parade
5:00 p.m. - Parade
5:45 to 6:45 p.m. - Bluffton Stars perform
David Yoder
Raiti Trio
Katie Althaus
Andrew Reese
Tina and Devon Fleming

6:45 p.m. - Interview with Jerry Burkholder, who will turn on the lights; recognition of 13 sponsors of Main Street snowflakes
6:55 p.m. - John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7:00 p.m. - Jerry Burkholder turns on the Ream lights
7:05 p.m. - Bluffton High School show choir performs

Meet Ronald McDonald
The official Ronald McDonald will be in this year's Blaze parade. Following the parade, he will meet people downtown to will pose for photos. Jerry Lewis McDonald's Restaurants sponsors his visit.