Christmas Eve Bonfires, Told by the Builders

Unforgettable. Priceless. Tradition. Those were the three words residents used to describe the Christmas Eve bonfires.

• • Unforgettable – Denise Burrell, executive director of the River Parishes Tourist Commission.
  • Priceless – Camella St. Pierre Landry, founder of the Festival of the Bonfires, vice chairwoman of the River Parishes Tourist Commission and economic development chairwoman of St. James Parish
  • Tradition – Pete Dufresne, president of St. James Parish 

The Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee bring together the surrounding local communities, out-of-towners and even curious travelers from other countries. 

While many appreciate the beauty of the beloved bonfires, they may not fully understand the depth of the tradition. 

Christmas Eve Bonfires Then and Now: The Luke Family

Back in the 1800’s, people would walk to church for Christmas Eve midnight mass, and bonfires were lit along the levee so they could see. 

For children, the bonfires were how Papa Noel found his way to deliver gifts.

Today, it’s so much more. 

“It’s ingrained in us. Our children and grandchildren are helping us build these things every year,” said Mark Luke, 68, a lifelong participant in the bonfire tradition.

Mark and his wife, Norma Luke, have been a part of the Christmas Eve bonfires their entire lives. 

“Norma grew up a couple miles upriver, and I grew up a couple miles downriver. And as long as we know, we’ve been participating in this bonfire tradition,” said Mark Luke. 

While the tradition has remained since its humble beginnings, the Lukes share that the appearance of the bonfires has evolved over the years. 

Mark Luke recalls that bonfires were 50, 55 and 60 feet tall. Today, the bonfires are limited to 15 feet. 

Additionally, participants must have a permit to build their bonfire. 

Beyond taller bonfires, participants used tires in their bonfires, helping them last for days. 

“People have gotten injured in the past – poles falling on them during construction and logs rolling down the levee during the fire – to the point where construction has changed,” said Mark Luke. 

Constructing the Bonfires

“Two days of construction,” said Norma Luke. “We got it done.” 

The Friday after Thanksgiving, Mark, Norma, their kids and the grandkids cut wood, put it on trucks and hauled it to the levee. 

“We had an assembly line and built this thing in a day,” said Mark Luke, referencing his red and white Santa hat bonfire that just needed one last element on top to be complete for the annual tradition. 

“We decorated it like a Christmas tree last year,” said Norma Luke. This year, Norma wasn’t sure how to decorate it until she was inspired by her granddaughter, who suggested the bonfire looked like a Santa hat. 

Now, the Luke family, like many others, will come together this Wednesday evening to celebrate a community effort and witness a unique Christmas spectacle like no other – an unforgettable and priceless tradition. 

According to the Festival of the Bonfires website, organizers recommend arriving to the area at 6 p.m. before the lighting begins at 7 p.m.