Sign up to set up the Ream Folk Art Display on November 21

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Blaze of Lights Festival and Ream Folk Art Display are quintessential Bluffton. They have a storied history--four decades in the making--built on local ingenuity and effort. And every year, we wonder just how will this really big job get done?

In 2026, two notable changes are coming to the Blaze: A professional lighting company will handle the difficult and risky job of stringing lights on the enormous evergreen trees in the Bluffton Presbyterian Church yard. For perhaps ten years, volunteers have used rented lifts to light the trees--and some have even climbed the trees. Gulp. This year the Village of Bluffton has decided--just weeks before the designated date--to fund the additional expense of hiring out the job. The Village needs to review how this will be funded in 2027 early next year.

Also new this year, volunteers may sign up online to set up the Ream Folk Art Display. The Village has a new online community campaign platform where volunteers may learn the where and when, and give organizers an idea of how many people to expect. Skilled and unskilled jobs are included in placing the figures around the churchyard, pounding in the stakes and screwing the figures to the stakes.

This is an opportunity to turn more Blufftonites into people who will make the 40th Blaze of Lights a reality and show their appreciation for the people and organizations who have done the heavy lifting in years past.

FROM REAM DISPLAY ORGANIZERS
We need your help! On Saturday, November 21 at 8:30 a.m., we need volunteers to help unpack and set up the display cutouts. Come for an hour or come for the whole time. The more hands we have, the faster and easier the work will be.

We'll gather at the gazebo at 8:30 a.m. and assign tasks from there. Sign up to set up the Ream Folk Art Display on November 21.

WHO ORGANIZES THE BLAZE OF LIGHTS?
The Blaze of Lights display and festival are made possible by a collaboration of the Village of Bluffton's Cultural Affairs Committee, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bluffton Fire Department and GROB Systems LLC. Many other individuals are perennial supporters of the holiday celebration.

The Village stores and oversees the display of the Ream Folk Art collection. The plywood figures were first created by Harry and Dorothy Ream, who donated the display to the Village.

For many years, volunteers from American Legion Post #382 provided the manpower and expertise to set up the Ream Display as well as the Gift of Giving lighting display across from Harmon Field. GROB Systems LLC is now assisting with electrical updates and setup of the Gift of Giving attraction.

The Bluffton Fire Department hangs garlands throughout the downtown business district.

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the Blaze Parade with the generous support of business sponsors and parade manager Junior Weihrauch. The Bluffton Town Crier, a role filled by Kevin Gratz, John George and Nelson Steiner, has narrated the parade and recited the Christmas story from Luke 2. 

Several thousand onlookers are expected at the Blaze Parade each year. Following the parade, the chamber hosts an After Blaze on Vine Street, giving an opportunity for guests who just don't want the magic day to end.

The chamber also recognizes the best residential lighting and best downtown business displays. The Ream Folk Art and Gift of Giving displays attract visitors to Bluffton until January 1.

Here's a chance to contribute to Bluffton's Blaze of Lights tradition: Sign up to set up the Ream Folk Art Display on November 21.