Mid-City Bonfire on New Year's Eve

I am happy to report that the traditional bonfire on Orleans Avenue in Mid-City on New Year's Eve was well attended. Although I had initial concerns about the revival of the boisterous, unofficial party on the neutral ground of Orleans Avenue, the event was as much fun as ever.

When we first arrrived at the bonfire location at about 10:30 pm the crowd was sparse but the Xmas trees were piled high ready for ignition. I was a little worried since I was one of just a few people celebrating with Black Cats and bottle rockets, but by about 11:00 pm the crowd gathered. The police and fire departments were on hand to maintain control and watch over the celebratory use of fireworks and the bonfire. Like pre-Katrina bonfire celebrations, the controlled anarchy of the lighting of the bonfire and random fireworks at midnight was a great time and made all of us forget about the devastation all around us, at least for awhile. Hopefully the upcoming Carnival Season will give us another brief respite from our worries and a small bit of normalcy in the midst of chaos. Thanks to everyone who turned out this year to make the unofficial bonfire in Mid-City a great event.