Bonfires on the Levee

Nothing like dancing around a roaring 20-foot high bonfire to get into the Christmas spirit. The tradition of lighting bonfires on the river levees dates back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans. The idea is to light the away for "Papa Noel," the Cajun Santa Claus, on his airborne journey to the area. Most of the 100 or so towering infernos are set in communities in St. James Parish some 30-40 miles upriver from New Orleans. Closer to home, the Algiers Economic Development Foundation sponsors one annually,- this year December 7, 5-8:30 pm - on the levee in Algiers Point.