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5:00 p.m. Parade - 6:30 p.m. Lighting Ceremony - 7:00 p.m. After Blaze

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The 2025 Blaze of Lights festival--the 39th annual event--features many Bluffton traditions and a few new ways to celebrate the holiday season. The Blaze of Lights is coordinated by Jim Enneking and Rene Gabriel of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce with the Bluffton Cultural Affairs Committee and the support of many individuals and organizations. A list of sponsors is below.

• Horse-drawn wagon rides return - Free and sponsored by GROB Systems
• Free RTA Trolley rides-- the 4th year for this treat
• Santa will visit with families in the little red house across from the Ream display; children may drop off letters to Santa through December 23
• Hope Railway rides on Main St. - Free thanks to Ebenezer Mennonite Church
• The After Blaze returns on Vine Street with a heated tent, food and beverages; live entertainment by Stedic Music is sponsored by CCR Realtors

SHOP SMALL SATURDAY
Before the Blaze, local businesses will be rolling out the red carpet for shoppers, and many will stay open late. The Chamber has collected the following special opportunities:

• 1861 Wine Lounge: Free coffee and hot chocolate; free will offering for the Food Pantry
• Bluffton Baking Co.: Apple dumplings, warm cookies and milk, inside 138 N. Main
• BHS Post Prom: Selling Crumbl cookies in front of Ellerbrock Spine & Soft Tissue
• CCR Realtors Bluffton: Serving hot chocolate for a donation to the Food Pantry
• Double D's Nuts: Almonds, cashews and pecans on Vine St.
• Kira's Flipside Grill: Pretzels and homemade beer cheese in front of the restaurant
• Senior Center: Serving soup, sandwiches and pie
• Ten Thousand Village: Christkindle ornament market in front of the store

PARADE
The Blaze Parade, coordinated by Junior Weihrauch, draws 100+ units, including the Bluffton High School Marching Band, community organizations, floats, safety services, and special guests. Weihrauch welcomes all entries and conducts a float contest. This year's theme is "Home for the Holidays."

ON THE BLAZE STAGE
Kevin Gratz will appear as the Town Crier, a role he has filled since 2019. While a big live event like the Blaze is unpredictable, he enjoys being part of a tradition that has "worked so well for so long." Gratz will announce the parade with Weihrauch's assistance.

Following the parade, the Bluffton High School Show Choir will perform under the direction of Kara Gratz.  The One Voice vocal ensemble will also perform prior to Gratz reciting the Christmas Story. 

The parade Grand Marshall is Dwain Leiber, a longtime Bluffton business owner, mechanic and sprint car racer. 

REAM FOLK ART DISPLAY
The centerpiece of the Blaze of Lights Festival is the Ream Folk Art Display, a collection of vintage Christmas figures made of plywood and paint. Harry and Dorothy Ream began making and illuminating these decorations on their rural Bluffton farm in 1938. Dozens more figures have been added, including many by local artist Terry Mullenhour. The display also includes some 1.5 miles of light strands on tower evergreens. The display is illuminated every evening from November 29 to January 1.

AT CHURCH AND MAIN
The horse-drawn wagon and RTA trolley rides will load on Church St. between Citizens National Bank and Basinger Law offices. The Whisk on Wheels will be serving outside the Twisted Whisk Cafe.

VISIT WITH SANTA OR WRITE TO HIM
Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with families at a little red house across from the Ream folk art display. Children can also write letters to Santa and post them in his special mail box. To receive a response from Santa, please include a return address. Letters may be dropped off up to December 23.

SPECIAL THANKS
Diamond Manufacturing is providing the Blaze stage, and All Service Aeration is providing porta-potties.

BLAZE OF LIGHTS SPONSORS