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Festival of the Bonfires

As dusk falls on Christmas Eve, the fire chiefs give the signal at 7:00 pm to light the approximately 100 wooden bonfires along the East and West Bank levees of the Mississippi River. Lighting bonfires on Christmas Eve in St. James Perish has been a holiday tradition since the 1880's, though its origin is still debated. The most popular explanation is that they lit the way for PaPa Noel, the Cajun version of Santa Claus, as he paddled his pirogue to deliver gifts to the good Cajun children. O thers say the fires were used as navigational signals to help guide religious travelers to midnight mass.

On November and December weekends, entire community families gather to construct the massive bonfires. For weeks before the bonfires are set ablaze, thousands of visitors walk the levees, eat good spicy food and enjoy the family-style Cajun Christmas Celebration.

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Location	Lutcher Louisiana 70071
Phone	225-869-1717
Email	festofbonfires@home.com
Website	http://www.festivalofthebonfires.org James Parish native Tim Louque. The poster will be available at the festival and you can also BID ON THE ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING at our silent auction! Meet artist Tim Louque at the Festival as he signs your 2005 poster. MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: Click Here for Sponsor Information CENTER POLE LEVEL CROWN LEVEL Cane Reed Level The Décor ...