It's time for Bluffton's 30-year-Saturday-after-Thanksgiving-tradition. Here's everything you need to know.

• THE SCHEDULE:
3-5 p.m. – Ice carving exhibition - Main Street
4p.m. - Food booths open
4 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5 p.m. – Parade
6 p.m. - Entertainment on Main Street
   • Bluffton High School show choir
   • Bluffton University brass ensemble
   • Ryan Strickler
6:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7 p.m. – Dennis Morrison turns on the Ream lights

Immediately following the parade
• Horse and wagon rides and kiddies train rides
• Meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in the Senior Citizens Center
• Meet Ronald McDonald in front of the review stand
• Gift of Giving light show on East College Avenue
• 8 p.m. Holly Follies Variety Show - Bluffton Middle School cafetorium

• THE CAST:
Switch hitter
Dennis Morrison will turn on this year’s Ream holiday folk art display lights. He is one of the long-time Blaze volunteers. He is the chair of the Lions Club Wheels’ Fest, and member of the Bluffton American Legion Post 382. He is a 1965 Bluffton High School graduate.

Parade marshal
Richard Jordan is this year’s parade marshal. Jordan has been in the insurance business for 55 years. He has served many years on the Bluffton Public Library board, held leadership positions at St. John’s UCC, active in the Bluffton chamber, Mason Lodge, Swiss Community Historical Society and Allen County Democrat party. He is a 1951 Bluffton High School graduate.

John George - Blaze MC
John George, who has served as the Blaze master of ceremonies since 1995, will again perform that role. Dressed in his traditional town crier garb, George will announce events from the Blaze review stand on the Presbyterian Church lawn. He and Junior Weihrauch, Blaze parade coordinator, will announce Blaze parade entries from the review stand.

Blaze night entertainment
Following the parade (approximately 6 p.m.), and continuing until the lights go on (approximately 7 p.m.) three groups will entertain the Blaze audience.
• Bluffton High School show choir, directed by Kara Zink
• Bluffton University brass ensemble, directed by Dr. Roy Couch
• Ryan Strickler, keyboard, Buckeye Award, music winner

Ice sculpture
Ice sculpturer Paul Ahrens of Precise Ice, known as The Ice Man, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. Beginning at 3 p.m., as the crowd watches carve from ice.

• THE PARADE:
Junior Weihrauch is again this year’s parade coordinator. This year’s parade forms at 4 p.m. on Snider Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m.
• Three float trophies will be awarded (first, second and third place) 
• Three trophies for other units will be awarded -
   • Mayor’s Choice • Village Cultural Affairs • Bluffton Chamber

Judging takes place during the parade line up. Winners will be announced during the parade. Parade units will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 26.

The parade route travels Snider Road south to Main Street and to College Avenue. It turns east on College and disbands at Triplett Drive.

• ALSO PLAYING:
• Larson Barbecue (Todd Larson)
• Bluffton Senior Citizens offer their traditional Blaze supper from 4 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Their menu includes soups, sandwiches and homemade pie.
• Bluffton Lions Club offer a chicken barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Drive through pick up is in the Family Dollar parking lot, or eat in at the Presbyterian Church basement. Tickets are on sale from Lion members at $8.50 each.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be in the Blaze parade. Following the parade, they will meet with youth of all ages at the Senior Citizens Center.

Horse and wagon rides one night only
J.A. Smith’s Town and Country Carriage Service, Van Wert, will provide horse and wagon rides on the night of the Blaze. This is the only night that those rides will be offered.

Rides will start at the conclusion of the Blaze parade and will continue during the evening. Departure point for the rides is in front of Common Grounds coffee shop.

Tickets for horse and wagon rides are $4 for persons 11 and older and $2 for youth 10 and under. Children who can sit on an adult lap have no charge. Tickets will be sold at the front of Common Grounds. Ticket sales will begin during the parade. This year’s horse and wagon route will be on South Main Street. SHANNON Service Club will sell tickets inside Common Grounds.

Romick Railway
A ride for young children, the Romick Railway, will offer rides following the parade. The railroad will be located on Main Street near Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.  

The Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
In its ninth season, the Gift of Giving light show extravaganza will be shown across from Harmon Field stadium on East College Avenue. The show will be viewed nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Based upon last year’s attendance, it is anticipated to attract an audience of over 5,000. On Blaze night, the show will start following the parade.

New Ream display cutout
Terry Mullenhour, chair of the Village Cultural Affairs Committee, each year creates a new display piece to go on the Presbyterian Church lawn. She likes to keep it a surprise so that visitors can try to find it. Mullenhour says this year’s cutout is “new and old.” She created two cutouts based upon two holiday cutouts that for several years were on display in the Ada park. Look for these near the pond display in the rear of the churchyard.