There are pages and pages written on the tradition of burning structures on the levee of the Mississippi River, but I didn't feel like studying them all, and certainly, no one will want to read much. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, in a nutshell, here's the folklore. What you hear mainly today is that the the bonfires are to light the way for Papa Noel. The light from the fires assures that Santa will be able to find his way to the homes of good girls and boys of Saint James Parish. One other possibility is that the fires were lit to help people cross the river after dark on their way to and from church and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It's also probably another great reason to get together with family and friends for a party!
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| Lunch at Santa Fe Cattle Company before heading down to the levees on the Mississippi |
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| Before burning Papa Noel's boat, gators pull it down the bayou |
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| Most of the sturctures are this tepee-style pyre. They go for many miles down the River. |
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| A big part of the fun on Christmas Eve is the "tailgating" atmosphere--lots of friends, fun, fire and food! |
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At 7 pm the structures are lit, and even when it's 45 degrees, there's plenty of heat..
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