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By Paula Pyzik Scott

For Bluffton’s 2024 Blaze of Lights festival and parade, it seemed like a little North Pole weather drifted south to Ohio on November 30. But most folks were bundled up and prepared to handle temps in the mid-20s.

The Blaze of Lights is steeped in tradition–including parade narration and recitation of the Christmas story by the Town Crier (Kevin Gratz), music including the Bluffton High School Show Choir, a big, dynamic parade with float competition and the lighting of the Ream Folk Art display at Main and Cherry streets.

The event is also spiced with a handful of innovations each year. For 2024, there was a new house for Santa, Mrs. Claus and their guests in the alley across from the Ream Folk Art Display. An Allen County Regional Transit trolley provided rides to see more holiday lights. The parade’s grand marshal was Bluffton’s first Olympian, Trevor Bassitt–who ran the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ▶︎

Bassitt, who lives and trains in Florida, responded to the question, how does it feel to come home to the Blaze? “It feels really cold, but honestly it’s great… to be asked to be the Grand Marshal and flip the switch, it’s a huge honor.” He commented that the event was “a really cool way to get into the Christmas spirit….to get the whole community into that Christmas mindset.”

Sisters Kristen and Karen were wrapped up and ready to cheer on their daughters on a float: “We like to see all of the floats go by and see all of the kids excited that Christmas is coming.”

Children and adults brought different perspectives to the event. Will and Natalie were two generations sitting front and center at the Blaze stage. We asked are you warm? Will: Yes! Natalie: No!

Is there an age when you’re too old to gather candy at a parade? That was the debate among the Stump family. 

When the Icon crossed paths with Brett and Chase Eikenbary they had been promoting the Blaze and downtown Bluffton businesses on Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce social media all day: “If you need a gift, you come to downtown Bluffton!” they advised, “You can find it here!” Brett said the best of the Blaze was meeting friends who have been away and are back to visit.

The Blaze of Lights festival and parade are a one-day event but the illuminated Ream Folk Art Display on the lawn of the Bluffton Presbyterian Church will shine every evening through January 1, 2025.

The entire endeavor is a collaborative effort of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Bluffton’s Cultural Affairs Committee. 

PLATINUM SPONSORS

• Bluffton Stone and Paving Co.
• Spectrum Salon
• Edward Jones-Financial Advisor Ryan DeMarco
• CCR Realtors
• Blanchard Valley Health System

GOLD SPONSORS

• K&E HVAC Solutions
• Padrone’s Pizza
• Citizens National Bank
• Bluffton University

SILVER SPONSORS

• Wessler Engineering
• County Electric
• Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn / Shannon Theatre
• GROB
• Bluffton Veterinary Hospital

RUBY SPONSORS

• Samuel W. Diller Co., L.P.A.
• Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue
• Twisted Whisk Cafe
• Webb Insurance Agency
• Kira's Flipside Grill
• Richard Boehr
• 1861 Wine Lounge
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
• Tyler Sutton State Farm

GENERAL SPONSORS

• Reichenbach & Steiner CPAs
• Jacomet's Martial Arts
• Jason Cox State Farm Insurance