BLUFFTON — Families from all over northwest Ohio lined the streets of downtown Bluffton on Saturday night to enjoy entertainment, lights, and Christmas displays as part of the 29th annual Blaze of Lights event.
What started as a modest holiday display on a Bluffton family’s farm nearly a half-century ago, Blaze of Lights has turned into a communitywide event meant to invoke the Christmas spirit in residents from across the region.
Harry and Dorothy Ream laid the groundwork for the event starting in 1938, when they displayed three white deer in their yard during the holidays. During the next 50 years, they collected and displayed 168 pieces of holiday folk art, along with nearly 7,000 lights. Their art was so well-known that cars would line the street near their home each night as families tried to get a glimpse of the massive display.
In the mid-1980s, Harry Ream donated his entire collection to the village, which created the Blaze of Lights event that occurs today. There are now almost 200 pieces of holiday art displayed in downtown Bluffton.
“As we get older, it seems like so many things we remember from the past are no longer here, but this is still here,” said master of ceremonies John George, who was dressed in traditional town crier garb. “It has persevered, and it’s really become part of the holiday experience for a lot of people.”
Blaze of Lights featured an ice carving exhibition, an hourlong parade, carriage rides, music and a reading of the Nativity story. The event was capped off when Bluffton resident Paul Dyck flipped a switch to light up the display. Each year, a different person is chosen to light the display.
“He is a longtime Bluffton resident who has played a big part in the community as far as senior living, so we wanted to honor him for his service to the community,” George said.
Though Blaze of Lights has become a holiday tradition for Bluffton residents, the event draws people from all across the state.
Findlay residents Bonnie and Binz Hummel have been coming to the event for four years.
“We’re trying to get into the Christmas spirit,” Bonnie Hummel said. “The parade is nice and long with lots of lights and floats, and we like watching the performances. We enjoy it all.”
Ryan and Jennifer Line, of Forest, said they drove by Blaze of Lights last year and decided they would make the 30-minute drive to this year’s event. The couple brought their children, 2-year-old Allison and 6-month-old Lucas.
“We came out to let the kids enjoy it,” Ryan Line said as he and his family waited to ride a horse-drawn carriage. “It’s been really nice, and I think it’s something we ‘ll probably do again next year.”
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