Bayou Bonfires

[spudz03]

For centuries Louisiana residents have been building huge bonfires on top of the levies that line the Mississippi river. This year will be no different in fact some people stated that because of hurricane Katrina they'll have no trouble finding fuel, fallen trees are everywhere.

Now these fires are HUGE wood used be stacked up as high as 40 feet but county ordnances now limit them to only 20 feet. Some people have been gathering and stacking the wood for their fires for weeks.

The true origins of this Christmas Eve ceremony is unknown. Some people think its a holdover from French and German customs and the sugar cane harvest. Others say the fires helped guide midnight Mass travelers to their destination in fog prone areas.

What ever. Ask any bayou kid and they'll tell you the fires are so that Papa Noel can find his way to each child's house.

I only wish I was there to see it in person, the sight must be truly spectacular. Hurricanes come and go but the human spirit remains unconquered.

[carskyavenue]

Wow, that certainly would be a sight to see alright!!Life certainly does go on even after massive trauma....and its definetly a good thing, too.

Used to do a similar ritual not for xmas, but when myself and a group of mates used to go andparty down at th river etc.

[spudz03]

To see those massive bonfires on either side of the Mississippi must be a grand site, not only the fires but their reflections too.

We have our bonfire on New Year's eve. Have 40 acres out in the high desert, it's MY WORLD, NO ONE tells me what to do there.

Been scrounging up wood for a while, have a couple dozen 16 foot garage door headers, (pine 4 X 12's) as well as the usual stuff. Also toss in a couple busted VW engine cases, magnesium burns bright as an arc wielder.

My fire can be seen from the main highway which is almost 40 miles away. We also go through plenty of booze and several thousand rounds too. The only rule I enforce is when the booze comes out the firearms are put away. Don't want anyone starting out the new year by accidently shooting themselves or one of our friends.

We've been doing this ritual since 1989 and never had any problems with the law or the locals.