Ada Icon viewers are invited to Bluffton on Saturday to watch the 100-plus unit parade (which includes the Ada High School homecoming queen Allison Howard). The event is the 28th annual Bluffton Blaze of Lights.
Several events are planned around the parade. Here's the schedule:
Nov. 29 schedule
4:00 p.m. – Ice carving exhibition by Chad Hartson
4:00 p.m. - Food booths will open
4:00 p.m. – Parade line up on Snider Road
5:00 p.m. – Parade
6:00 p.m. - Entertainment on Main Street
• Bluffton High School show choir • Dancer Elite dancers • Lima Beane Chorus
6:55 p.m. – John George recites Christmas story from Luke 2
7:00 p.m. – Anna Ruth Reichenbach turns on the Ream lights
7:00 p.m. – Wood carving exhibition by John Guagenti
• Immediately following the parade - Horse and wagon rides and kiddie train rides
Ice sculpture
Ice sculpturer Chad Hartson of Ice Creations of Napoleon, for the fourth year, will create a work of art from a large chunk of ice. He is one of America’s leading sculptors with national and international recognition. Beginning at 4 p.m., as the crowd watches, Hartson will work with a block of ice 40 by 20 by 10 inches and over the next 45 minutes will create an ornate snowflake. Hartson’s work is described as a the “ultimate cool.”
Wood carver
A Blaze of Light first is an appearance by John Guagenti of Bluffton, wood carver. Similar to Chad Hartson, only using wood, Guagenti will carve a holiday sculpture on Nov. 29. He will create his piece beginning at 7 p.m. on the Citizens National Bank corner (Main and Church).
The largest parade ever!
Junior Weihrauch, parade coordinator, said that this year’s parade is the largest in Blaze history. Over 100 units are registered. This year’s parade is estimated to last 60 minutes. To demonstrate this year’s parade size, in 2008 the parade had 40 units.
This year’s parade forms at 4 p.m. on Snider Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m. A first, second and third prize will be awarded to the top floats, with each winner receiving a trophy. Judging takes place during the parade line up. Float winners will be announced during the parade. Parade units will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 29.
The parade route travels Snider Road south to Main Street and to College Avenue. It turns east on College and disbands at Triplett Drive.
Food
• County Kettle Corn (Crawfis family), Sports Warehouse alley
• Bluffton Senior Citizens will offer their traditional Blaze supper from 4 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Their menu includes soups, sandwiches and homemade pie.
• Bluffton Lions Club will offer a chicken barbecue at the middle school and later (unless sold out) on Church and Main from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale from Lion members.
• Bluffton High School post-prom committee will offer baked goods, nachos and cheese and hot chocolate in front of Family Eye Care. They will also sell tickets for a cash raffle. Only 400 tickets available. First prize is $500, second $300 and third prize $100.
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be in the Blaze parade. Following the parade, they will meet with youth of all ages at the Senior Citizens Center.
Horse and wagon rides one night only
J.A. Smith’s Town and Country Carriage Service, Van Wert, will provide horse and wagon rides on the night of the Blaze. This is the only night that those rides will be offered.
Rides will start at the conclusion of the Blaze parade and will continue during the evening. Departure point for the rides is in front of Common Grounds coffee shop.
Tickets for horse and wagon rides are $4 for persons 11 and older and $2 for youth 10 and under. Children who can sit on an adult lap have no charge. Tickets will be sold at the front of Common Grounds. Ticket sales will begin during the parade. This year’s horse and wagon route will be on South Main Street.
Romick Railway
A ride for young children, the Romick Railway, will offer rides following the parade. The railroad will be located on Main Street near Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.
The Gift of Giving light show extravaganza
In its seventh season, the Gift of Giving light show extravaganza will be shown across from Harmon Field stadium on East College Avenue. The show will be viewed nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Based upon last year’s attendance, it is anticipated to attract an audience of over 5,000. On Blaze night, the show will start following the parade.
Map showing holiday lights
Residents with outdoor Christmas displays may place their residence on the 2014 Bluffton Christmas lights map.
The printer-friendly map will be posted on the Bluffton chamber website
(www.explorebluffton.com) for the benefit of out-of-town persons interested in knowing where to go to view lights in Bluffton.
Printed copies of the map will be available in the Ream display red mailbox on the Presbyterian lawn. Printed copies will also be available at the Bluffton Marathon and other businesses.
Santa Claus coming to town
The chamber has scheduled several Santa visit to Bluffton in addition to the Blaze of Lights night. Here are those dates and locations:
• Saturday, Dec. 6 – Santa will be in Greg’s Pharmacy, 120 N. Main St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 13 – Santa will be in Citizens National Bank, 102 S. St., from 10 a.m. to noon.
Senior citizens peanut brittle
Ohio’s best peanut brittle is available only in Bluffton and only in November and December (while supplies last). The candy is produced each Monday in November by members of the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. It is available for $5.50 a pound.
