GARYVILLE — “Roux-dolph” the bonfire reindeer are among the many bonfires helping light the way for Santa on Christmas Eve this year. A time-honored tradition for those in Louisiana along the levees of the Mississippi River, the bonfires only grow more spectacular each year.
Josh Weidert and his friends started participating in building bonfires for the annual tradition more than 20 years ago. Weidert designs much of the actual bonfire structure. His friends help figure out other portions, like the antlers on this year’s design: the large deer.
He and others work on their bonfire structure a little at a time every day, and their reindeer took about 20 days to create for this Christmas. About 10-15 people get involved in building the structures.
Weidert said the inspiration for their bonfire concepts usually comes from having grown up in the local area, with woods and swamps around.
“We all grew up fishing, hunting, going to the camp, and not only that, but just enjoying nature and respecting it. You know, just having an appreciation for the things that you get to see, that that people you know on a normal basis don’t typically get to see in South Louisiana,” Weidert explained. “That kind of gives inspiration for us every year we kind of just, you know, we go through the types of animals that will be found in the marsh and swamp.”
“The animals of the swamp” has been the theme of his friends’ bonfire since around 2015, he added.
Most of the wood for the bonfire structure comes from willow trees behind the levee, Weidert said. The willow trees tend to grow back quickly every year, so they like to use them for creating the outer portion of the bonfire.
Because of the amount of fallen trees from Hurricane Francine, Weidert added that a lot of the inside of the deer is made from lumber out of the trees that were in people’s yards.
The antlers are made with wire rebar and foam carved into the antler shape. The deer’s nose lights up red with an LED light bulb. His hooves are carved from a dead sycamore stump.
All non-wood materials will be removed prior to burning on Christmas eve.
Weidert said that social media has allowed information about this south Louisiana tradition to spread around the U.S., and even photos of the deer on Facebook spread across the country in only a couple of hours. He said he’s gotten questions about why they would even burn a beautiful structure like the deer, but he said it’s about something more.
“You’ve got people from every area of humanity that come up here. And they’re all coming for one common thing: to look at something pretty cool, get pictures of it,” Weidert explained. “That’s why we build it nice, to help bring a little bit of unity during Christmas time amongst people, help people come together and give them something to enjoy.
“We build it for the people. We build it for us, for the people, for our families, for our kids.”
On Christmas eve, weather permitting, the bonfire will be lit at 7 p.m. Weidert and Blood, Sweat, and Bonfires suggests arriving by 6 p.m. at the latest if you are planning to attend that evening. More information about their deer bonfire and the event can be found on their Facebook post.
Traffic Preparations
The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gramercy Police Department, and Lutcher Police Department have announced the 2024 Traffic Plan will be in place from 6:30 pm until 9 pm, with bonfires beginning at 7 pm.
This year, traffic on Highway 44 (River Road) will be two-way traffic. All highways between LA 642 and LA 3213 (leading to River Road) will be traffic-controlled to allow a “right turn only” onto Highway 44. You will not be able to turn left on any highway between LA 642 and LA 3213.
Streets in Gramercy and Lutcher will be blocked at Highway 44, and you will not be allowed to turn onto Highway 44.
No bonfires are to be lit before 7 pm on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Bonfire Festivities on the Mississippi River Levee shall conclude by 11 pm on Christmas Eve. Bonfire participants and visitors will be asked to leave the levee.
Do not park where you are blocking side streets.
If you are walking, be mindful when crossing the street.
If you are driving, please watch out for those crossing the street.
Plan to arrive early and enjoy the St. James Parish Christmas Eve Bonfire Festivities!Sheriff Claude J. Louis Jr. said, “We anticipate this year’s traffic plan will provide safety access for our community and visitors and allow for increased traffic flow. Officers will be visible along the route. Accessible staging areas for emergency response vehicles will also be along the route. We hope everyone has a safe Christmas Eve.”
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