“Happy Holidays!”
Plans for the year’s Bluffton Blaze of Lights are underway. This year’s 28th annual Thanksgiving weekend event is Saturday, Nov. 29, using the theme “Happy Holidays!” The Blaze committee invites Ada groups and businessees to participate in the Blaze parade.
PARADE APPLICATION FORM AT BOTTOM OF STORY.
The Blaze is an event sponsored by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Fred Steiner, chamber director, said, “Most people think of the Blaze as a one-evening event. It’s really the entire holiday season because several events take place until New Years.”
The Blaze committee started planning this year’s event in July. Much of this year’s activities are in place. Here’s an update:
4 p.m. Pre-parade events
Two events are planned from 4 to 5 p.m. on Main Street prior to the parade.
New this year will be a wood carving demonstration by John Guagenti of Bluffton, owner of Track Carvings. He will be carving a large Christmas art piece that will be sold at the Blaze.
Guagenti will work beside another familiar Blaze artist, Chad Hartson of Napoleon, who will create a holiday ice sculpture. Guagenti will stop work during the parade, and then continue his carving art exhibit from 6 to 7 p.m.
5 p.m. Parade
The parade will form at 4 p.m. on Snider Road at the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool parking area and at The Centre parking lot. It will begin at 5 p.m. The parade route is south on Main Street to College and on to Triplett Drive.
As of mid-September, 60 units are already pre-registered. Based on previous year pre-registrations, this could be the largest Blaze parade ever, possibly reaching over 100 units. For example, the 2008 parade had 60 units.
The parade is open to any community group, organization or business.
Junior Weihrauch of Arlington is again this year’s parade coordinator.
Among parade entries already registered includes the Bluffton American Legion honor guard, a Corvair club from Defiance, Findlay Shock Wave drum line, Bluffton High School band, Five-Star Baton Corp, Scarlet Stutters of Defiance, Romick Railway, Life Flight mini-helicopter, High-Octane Drum Line of Lima, Glory Strutters of Findlay, WXAX FM radio van, 106.3 The Fox radio van, Findlay Shrine Clown group and the Flag City Classic Car Club.
In addition several organizations will have floats in the parade, and many area community fire trucks and EMS units are in the parade. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will bring up the tail end of the parade.
This year’s parade grand marshal and “switch hitter” are not yet named.
6 p.m. Entertainment
Several new entertainment groups are scheduled to perform from 6 to 7 p.m. While not all the details are sety the performance will include the Bluffton High School show choir, directed by Kara Zink. New to this year’s entertainment will be a dance corp. from Dancers’ Elite Studio of Bluffton. Deb Garlock is the studio owner. Additional musical performers are not yet confirmed.
Horse and wagon rides will be available. The S.H.A.N.N.O.N Service Club will sell tickets during the parade and following in Common Grounds coffee shop. The wagon rides begin at 6 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will receive youngsters of all ages following the parade at the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. The Center will have food for sale during the evening.
Also following the parade, the Romick Railway, a kid’s ride, will be set up in the Greg’s Pharmacy area of Main Street. Rides will continue throughout the evening.
6:55 p.m. Christmas story
John George, master of ceremonies and town crier, will provide information about all Blaze events from the Blaze stage starting at 4 p .m. He will assist Junior Weihrauch as they introduce parade participates.
George will interview the parade marshal and switch hitter (the person who turns on the Ream holiday folk art lights). George will also read the Christmas story from Luke 2 prior to the lights being turned on.
7 p.m. Reams lights turned on
The several thousand lights of the Ream display, located in the Presbyterian Church lawn, will turn on at 7 p.m. Following that several Bluffton Main Street businesses will continue to be open for persons attending the Blaze.
Gift of Giving Light Show Extravaganza
Bluffton’s annual free Christmas light show will be open to holiday visitors in the parking lot across from Harmon Field on College Avenue. The show will continue nightly through Jan. 1.
United Way 50/50 drawing
The Bluffton-Beaverdam-Richland Township United Way will conduct a 50/50 drawing this fall. The drawing for the winner will take place on the Blaze stage prior to the Ream lights being turned on. Tickets will be available the night of the parade.
Senior Citizen peanut brittle
Ohio’s best-tasting peanut brittle will again be available during the holidays. The senior citizens begin their peanut brittle making on the first Monday of November.
Saturday with Santa
Santa will visit Bluffton several times this holiday season. Here’s his schedule:
• Saturday, Nov. 22 – Town and Country Flowers, 10 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Nov. 29 – Blaze of Lights – Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at Senior Center following the parade
• Saturday, Dec. 6 – Greg’s Pharmacy, 10 a.m. to noon
• Saturday, Dec. 13 – Citizens National Bank, 10 a.m. to noon
Persons wanting more Blaze information can go to the chamber website: www.explorebluffton.com
