A centuries-old River Parishes Christmas Eve tradition continues tonight as about 190 bonfires will be lit along the Mississippi levees in St. James and St. John parishes.
River Parishes Tourism Commission Executive Director Buddy Boe says the festivities run till 10 PM with fireworks shooting off at 6:50 PM and the bonfires being lit at 7 PM.
“It’s one night only, Christmas Eve, and yeah we have the entire region that for five weeks busts their butt building these massive structures and then lights them on fire to light the way for Papa Noel,” says Boe. 
Most bonfires are traditional teepees, but about seven are special structures, like a 74-foot long alligator made of wood.
There are a few theories as to where the tradition comes from. Some think it’s a German harvest celebration, others think it may have been started by slaves, but nowadays most people agree on the modern interpretation that the Cajuns who settled the land build the structures on levees to light the way for Cajun Santa, or Papa Noel.
This year visitors are encouraged to park at Lutcher High and ride the shuttle up to the levees for a real River Parishes cultural experience.
“We wanted to allow visitors who didn’t want to just sit in a car and look through their car window the chance to go out and smell like a fire, meet a local, taste their gumbo, really go experience this amazing tradition,” says Boe.
Or, you can hop in your car and ride down the East and West Bank River Roads on Highways 44 and 18 for a different view.
