Christmas Tradition: Bonfires on the River in Cajun Country
Louisiana Cajun Country, along the Mississippi River, has a Christmas tradition since the 1870's: bonfires on the river.
That tradition originated with the plantations along the Mississippi River, building bonfires on the levee on Christmas Eve.
Why? Papa Noel needs light to travel up and down the river on Christmas Eve to make his yearly delivery.
The levee bonfires are located along the Mississippi River in St. John and St. James Parishes. These parishes (same as counties in the rest of the United States)are about 40 minutes west of New Orleans. Every Christmas Eve, cars line the River Road to view the lighting of the bonfires. Tourists in New Orleans board buses for the short ride to the River Parishes, to view this unique tradition.
The most interesting view of the bonfires is to book a seat on the riverboat and get a unique view.
The locals in the area celebrate Christmas Eve by opening their homes to friends and family, serving Cajun dishes of every type.
How To Build a Bonfire
The bonfire has a center pole and 4 side poles, forming the tee-pee shape.
From the bottom, 2 logs are placed in one direction and two logs placed in the opposite direction.
That process is continued to the top, with smaller and smaller cut logs.
The inside of the tee-pee is filled with logs to start the fire.
Sugar cane reeds are placed on the exterior of the tee-pee structure, that will cause a popping sound like massive fireworks exploding.
There are height restrictions of 20 feet, to protect the participants and the homes along the river.
If there is a high wind from the south, which is blowing in from the river, the bonfires are canceled. This to protect the homes along the river.
A Lousiana Christmas Tradition Lives on along the Mississippi River.
Author: Carolyn Crispin
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