Louisiana Christmas

[Queen Victoria]

This is how Christmas Eve is celebrated about 40 minutes up the Mississippi River from me.  Bonfire structures are built on the levee and lit at dark.  Some of the accents are hard to understand, but it's worth the effort.

http://bcove.me/xvy8bp5q

Christmas Eve Bonfire 2010
Posted on Saturday, December 25, 2010 3:01AM
No one quite knows the genesis of this centuries-old Christmas Eve bonfire ritual that draws visitors from near and far to the levee in St. James Parish.  But the traditional lighting in unison of the bonfires - be it a beacon for Papa Noel or a lantern to light the path long ago of those attending midnight Mass - continues to delight and entertain each new generation.

[Parts]

Fire and  fireworks  now that's a Christmas.  I would love to do that It even looks worth a trip to see it.  Everyone is boring around here 

[Queen Victoria]

Fire and  fireworks  now that's a Christmas.  I would love to do that It even looks worth a trip to see it.  Everyone is boring around here 

Thanks.  No one knows why the bonfires were started.  Tradition says to light the way for Papa Noel. 

The road along the Mississippi is part of the Old colonial route so it's mostly 2 lanes and winding.  The traffic goes on for miles.  They do have a Christmas Eve cruise from New Orleans that costs about $200 per person.  In the recent past they would build spectacular, elaborate structures (as the man said).  However, the authorities recognized the dangers if the bonfires weren't built properly, so they only allow the traditional form with a maximum height. While the new style was awesome to look at before burning, I support the authorities because some people were injured with them.  Anyway, we enjoyed just driving by the structures before Christmas.

[Adam]

I didnt know people did bonfires and fireworks for xmas

Here people have bonfire and fireworks for Bonfire Night

[odeon]

  Very cool.

[renaeden]

That would be totally not allowed in Australia because it is bushfire season here. Would be pretty awesome to have though.

[P7PSP]

Fire! Fire!   

['andersom']

I could not see it.

[Queen Victoria]

I could not see it.

I just replayed it.  There's a bit of white screen at first and then a commercial.

[DukeNukem]

Don't you think all of that oil around Louisiana would make it dangerous to be shooting fireworks?

[Queen Victoria]

Don't you think all of that oil around Louisiana would make it dangerous to be shooting fireworks?

The oil is underground and there are no refineries in these parishes.  The only danger is to the public from bonfires that are not built properly.  They have to be inspected by the parish after you get a permit.  In the recent past they would build elaborate structures (forts, pick-up trucks, paddlewheelers, etc.) but determining if these are stable is not easy.  So the parish said only the traditional tepee structure can be built with a height limit.  Thankfully I don't believe anyone has been seriously hurt from the bonfires, but with literally thousands of people on the levee and a traffic jam on a winding two lane road, it could be dangerous.

[P7PSP]

Don't you think all of that oil around Louisiana would make it dangerous to be shooting fireworks?

Eat  and die. People have a spiritual need for giant fires and explosions. Join Greenpeace ya fucking fairy. 

["couldbecousin"]

Don't you think all of that oil around Louisiana would make it dangerous to be shooting fireworks?

Eat  and die. People have a spiritual need for giant fires and explosions. Join Greenpeace ya fucking fairy. 

Yeah, who cares about a few little burns? Harden the fuck up!