After Thanksgiving, the city of Bluffton holds their annual Blaze of Lights event. This year, my mom and I went to the Blaze of Lights celebration. The first night includes an ice sculptor, parade, booths on Main Street and more. Other things are done on a nightly basis until the beginning of the new year. These include a light show called The Gift of Giving, a holiday display and decorations in store windows. While we have viewed the decorations and the light show in the past, this was the first time we went on the first night.
Around 4 p.m., there was an ice sculptor who created an image of Santa Claus from a block of ice. It was interesting to watch him create this display. There was a mix of big chunks of ice taken off the block, with some smaller, intricate pieces of ice taken off the ice block. Before the parade, we got hot chocolate from a coffee shop. The parade started around 5 p.m. and it was a pretty long parade. There were fire trucks, a marching band, baton groups, clowns and more.
Once the parade was done, we walked up and down Main Street to see what was offered. There weren't a lot of booths set up, which surprised me. Also, a lot of businesses on Main Street were closed during the event. I expected more booths and more businesses to stay open.
We were getting ready to leave and noticed The Gift of Giving was actually going on at that time. I read it would begin after the parade on the first night, and posters around town said the show would start at 7 p.m. We pulled in and caught the second half of the show. Once it was done, we found a better spot to watch the next show.
The show is about a tree that is left behind and does not get to become a Christmas tree. At first, she is sad because she will not get to experience the joy of being a Christmas tree. An older tree and some animals help her learn that giving to others can give yourself joy. There is music by Mannheim Steamroller and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra that accompanies the show. Once the show was done, we were on our way home.
It was fun going to the first night of the Blaze of Lights. The parade and ice sculptor were fun to watch. The Gift of Giving is a short, entertaining show that lets the audience know how it feels to give to others. We're already planning to go to it next year!
My family and I used to go to the Blaze of Lights! I have not been in many years, but I'm sure the display is just as charming as I remember it. I don't think we ever went to the first night festivities; I've never heard about the ice sculptor or The Gift of Giving show, but it sounds like a great night to get into the Christmas cheer! I think my family is planning on going to the Toledo Zoo lights sometime in the next few weeks - I am looking forward to it! I'm glad you had a good time at the Bluffton lights. I will have to try to remember about these events for next year!
ReplyDelete