Festival of the Bonfires
Lutcher, LA
December 12-14
Some say the Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River
levee in the parishes of St. James and John the Baptist began more than
200 years ago as a way to light the way for travelers on the river
heading to midnight mass. Others hold that the dozens upon dozens of
towering infernos have served as travel beacons, helping Papa Noël,
a.k.a. Santa Claus, find his way to southeast Louisiana.
Whichever theory you believe, there's no question that this unique
tradition is a festive way to ring in the holidays each year, as
families gather around the 20-foot-tall structures to enjoy food and
drink and good company, and tourists come from all around for the
spectacle. And, while the lighting of the bonfires is an annual
Christmas Eve event, Lutcher's Festival of the Bonfires offers a way to
celebrate the tradition for those who may rather be tucked snug in their
beds on Christmas Eve.
It's Christmas on the River...Cajun style. The festival will kick
off three days of music, food and fun on Friday, December 12, at 2 p.m.
Friday will see a variety of culinary competitions, including the Gumbo
Cook-Off, the Potato Salad Showdown and the Bread Pudding Bake-Off, with
results announced at 7 p.m. The schedules for Saturday and Sunday
include a Junior Gumbo Cook-Off, Breakfast with Santa, and a variety of
games, events and activities.
Local bands and performers, such as Sac-a-Lait, Misbehavin', Waylon
Thibodaux and Hip Boot Joe, will play continuously throughout the
festival and late into the night. Hungry fest-goers will be able to
sample entries into the cooking competitions, as well as the standard
Louisiana festival fare, such as jambalaya, po-boys and red beans and
rice.
Best of all, each evening at 7 p.m., festival organizers will light
an authentic Cajun Christmas Bonfire, so attendees can experience the
famous tradition a little early.
2008 dates: December 12-14
Admission: $4
(Free for children under 10 and adults 62 and up)
Directions: The festival is held at Lutcher Park in
Lutcher, LA. From I-10, take exit 194 toward Gramercy/LA 641 South.
Continue south on LA 641/3213 for 3.8 miles. You'll cross Airline
Highway just before turning right onto LA 3125/641. Continue 1.7 miles
and take a left on Lutcher Ave. Travel a mile, and take a right on Rear
St. and then the first right on Louisiana Ave. The festival will be in
the park just up the street.
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