Rodney's Bonfire
My Dad and Mom, Tony & Marsha
My sis, Laci, and her boys Cole (6) and Chadd (4)
Jillian is not afraid of fireworks...at least when Daddy is "protecting" her!
Laci and Jae
Travis with the cousins
The kids sitting on the levee and telling "ghost stories" by flashlight. (The one holding the flashlight got to tell the story)
Mom and Laci (can you tell they're mother & daughter?!)Enjoying the "Bonfires on the [Mississippi River] Levee" was an extra-special treat this Christmas Eve. Dad, Mom, Laci and her boys, Travis, me and the kids got a lesson on bonfires and Cajun history.
Rodney (Travis's coworker) and his family build and "host" one of the bonfires each year. He has generously invited us to his bonfire both Christmases we have been here. Long story, but last year we saw the bonfires, but didn't make it to Rodney's because we were late. An accident on the Interstate almost prevented us from getting there this Christmas Eve, but we got there just in time to actually be a part of Rodney's bonfire! We were blessed by the hospitality Rodney and his family extended, and we were fortunate to get a first-hand history of "the bonfires" from Rodney.
Rodney grew up in a home right across the street from the Mississippi River levee. His parents still live in the house, therefore he has been participating in the bonfires on the levee for a long time.
Rodney told us about how it used to take from November 1st all the way 'till December 23rd to build their single bonfire! That was before the time of chainsaws, so they chopped their wood by hand. He also described what the bonfires were like before the fire department stepped in and made some safety guidelines. Bonfires were constructed up to 60 ft. tall and there was a contest on who could build the biggest or fanciest fire. Some bonfires were built in shapes like houses, boats, etc. Tires used to be put in the center of the bonfires' tepee structures, so the fires would burn for a LONG time. Rodney said it was kind of a contest on whose fire would burn the longest. He said with the tires, the fires would burn easily for one, sometimes even two weeks. When someone realized the smoke the burning fires created was toxic, the tires were banned from being burned in the bonfires.
Bonfires can be no more than 20 ft. tall now. The bonfires can easily be built in a matter of a few days thanks to chainsaws, and tires are no longer burned. The fires are all lit at 7:00 and most burn into the morning, warmly welcoming Christmas Day.
Although the physical structures and regulations have changed since the beginning of the bonfire tradition, the fellowship, tradition and friendships the fires "lit" have lasted. The bonfire tradition was built around camaraderie, families and good old fashioned fun! Some people say that the fires light the way for Papa Noel to navigate the foggy river to get presents to the good little boys and girls. Others say the fires, "Light the way for the Christ Child," guiding Him to Louisiana. Those legends are fun, for sure, but the draw of the fires is family, friends, fun and just the awesome sight of bonfire after bonfire stretching farther than the eye can see along the Mississippi River levee.
The kids, by the way, had a blast! They immediately started "rolling down the hill" when we got to Rodney's bonfire. They'd start on the top of the steep levee and roll sideways as fast as they could to the bottom. They were thrilled AND filthy. A friend then gave the kids a flashlight to play with and they took turns telling "ghost stories" by flashlight. They all went right to sleep when they got home after showering off, so Santa could get his work done and get to bed!
No comments:
Post a Comment