Festival of the Bonfires
This preview of the Christmas Eve bonfires also serves up a round of the season’s favorite foods
Another Plantation Country festival is on tap for December 9—11. The Festival of the Bonfires, held at Lutcher Park, is a fun preview of the big bonfire night traditionally held on Christmas Eve, with two early bonfires lighting the sky in the context of this winter festival. The proceeds help defray costs associated with the Christmas Eve bonfires, so just know that by going out and enjoying the twin conflagrations, you help make it possible to go out and enjoy more bonfires later in the month while getting a sneak peek at this seasonal Louisiana tradition.
Music and food are offered at any festival, of course, but the bonfire festival features a three-for-one cook-off of showcasing Louisiana holiday favorites: not only is there a gumbo cook-off, but area chefs can also participate in the Potato Salad Showdown and Bread Pudding Bakeoff. If you go overboard sampling the results of these events, there’s the chance to burn a little off at Sunday’s festival 5K; or you can just accept that it’s the holidays and enjoy watching the car show, local bands, and other entertainment on display or browsing the themed Christmas tree decorated by local organizations. There’s not a wrong answer. Try not to snack on the gingerbread house contest entries, though—at least, not until they’ve been judged!
For more information and to see a full schedule of events, call (225) 562-2520 or visit VisitNOPC.com/bonfire.