The 29th annual Bluffton Blaze of Lights isn’t history because it continues until Jan. 2.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR PHOTOS AND A VIDEO WITH AREA RESIDENTS POSING WITH RONALD McDONALD - AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

However, opening night was a success, as the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event packed Main Street five people deep to watch this year’s parade and stay for the Ream holiday folk art display lights to turn on.

Marriage proposals – a first (we think):
• Matt Schnipke, driving an Ottoville fire department vehicle, celebrating his and his wife’s 17th wedding anniversary, proposed for a second time to his wife, Jennifer, in front of the review stand. (She accepted the proposal.)

Just the facts:
• 100 units registered for the parade
• Including 18 floats and 7 fire departments
• 44 degrees on the Citizens National Bank clock
• One fire department (Benton Ridge) left the parade line up because of a fire call
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio parade marshals
• Paul Dyck, retired MHCO administrator, switch-hitter
• Over 200 tickets sold for horse and wagon rides

Float trophy winners:
• First place: Bethel Church of Christ
• Second place: Trinity Lutheran Church
• Third place: JD Snyder Excavating

Non-float trophy winners
• Chamber trophy: Shockwave Drum Corp, Findlay
• Cultural Affairs trophy: Dancers’ Elite
• Mayor’s trophy: Allen County Sheriff Mounted Posse

Ronald McDonald
• There is only one Ronald McDonald. The one-and-only was in the Bluffton Blaze parade. Prior to his Bluffton appearance he was in New York City, then Dayton, then Bluffton. From Bluffton he was headed to Indianapolis.