This year's new Bluffton Blaze of Lights committee is hard at work. With two planning meetings behind it, here's what is set so far. The Blaze of Lights, a program of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce is Saturday, Nov. 26.

o "Winter Wonderland" is this year's theme. Floats, residences and businesses are encouraged to decorate with that theme in mind.

o Parade formation at The Centre, starting at 4 p.m. Enter your organization in the parade at the Bluffton Chamber website.

o Parade from The Centre to College Avenue at 5 p.m. Last year's parade included nearly 80 units. A first-, second- and third-place trophy will be provided for floats entering the parade. Judging takes place during the parade line up. Winners will be announced during the parade.

o Weiss Carriage Rides will provide horse and wagon rides following the parade. Tickets will be sold during the parade in front of the town hall. Wagon rides will start and end on Elm Street between the town hall and Groves Collectibles and Antiques. The route will be decided soon.

o Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring up the end of the parade. They will meet youngsters following the parade in the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.

o Entertainment is being planned and will be announced soon.

o The cultural affairs committee will handle the lighting of the Ream holiday folk art display. Details including set up dates will be announced soon.

o The chamber will officially turn over the silent auction portion of the Blaze to the Bluffton Public Library. The traditional auction fund-raiser will move the library and funds generated from it will support the library. More details on that project are coming.

Brainstorming-dreaming-ect.
Several projects for this year's Blaze are in the discussion stages. Committee members welcome community input on these. The following ideas are under discussion by the committee. No decisions are finalized.

1 -Residential lighting contest. Consider making prizes money more challenging. For example $300 for first place; $125 for second place; $75 for third place. Entries accepted within the corporation limits extending 1-mile outside the corporation. Judging could be based on the "Winter Wonderland Theme."

2 - Consideration for block judging. Specific neighborhoods could enter a separate block judging entry category.

4 - Perhaps complete the residential decoration judging prior to the Blaze and award the prizes to winners from the Blaze stage the night of the event. This would provide more visibility to the winners and to the contest. This year's winner could present next year's prize that year's winner on Blaze night.

5 - Judging business displays for downtown could involve a traveling trophy. The committee seeks ideas for what a traveling trophy - either something serious or something fun - might involve.

6 - Other ideas under consideration include an event on the third floor of the town hall in the afternoon and evening of the Blaze. Ideas range from Christmas tree festivals, Purse Bingo, to a repeat of this summer's sesquicentennial ball.

Several other promotional ideas are being studied by the committee. Those will be announced soon.

The new Blaze committee includes:
Junior Weihrauch, Phil Zimmerly, Brandon Huber, Tracy Steele, Lauren Beasley, Ryan Lowry and Fred Steiner. The next meeting is at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, on the patio at Luke's. Blaze members appreciate your ideas and comments about this year's event.

Become a downtown snowflake sponsor!
The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce continues to soliciting sponsors for downtown snowflakes. The four-foot-tall lighted snowflakes will brighten Main Street during the Blaze of Lights season. One snowflake may be sponsored for $399.

"The chamber invites, individuals, church groups, businesses, service organizations and industries to help light up downtown Bluffton this coming Christmas season and for seasons to come," said Fred Steiner, chamber CEO. "Depending upon the response we'd like to have a very heavy 'snowfall' this summer. Yes, that's an intended pun."

Snowflakes may be sponsored in honor or memory of a family member, friend or special Bluffton resident. "Groups may sponsor a snowflake outright, or may contribute to the snowflake fund, which will go toward their purchase.

"The chamber purchased the lone snowflake hanging in front of Common Grounds and The Food Store. We wanted to hang it in the summer to get people's attention, added Steiner.

It is the hope of this committee that once the snowflake project succeeds that a season banner project will follow. The banners will be placed on light poles similar to the snowflakes. The banners could promote any number of events or seasons.
Donors will be recognized in several ways including announcements:
o in chamber newsletters,
o at the December chamber breakfast meeting,
o from the stage during the Blaze of Lights,
o on the chamber website,
o on Bluffton holiday lighting maps distributed free in November and December,
o on posters displayed downtown during the holiday season.
o and, each donor will receive a certificate of recognition from the chamber for participation in the snowflake project.
The deadline for a sponsorship is Friday, Sept. 9.