Sittin’ by the Fire

I mentioned in my blog The Camper Club that I grew up camping. A lot. I have a lot of fond memories, but it’s not an experience choose to have again. Take me to the Hilton with a pool, indoor plumbing, fresh sheets, and I’m happy. However, there is a part of the camping experience that I did enjoy very much and do still try to be a part of whenever I can. The bonfire.

There’s something about sitting next to the fire, wrapped in a blanket, scooching your chair closer and closer as the night wears on, staring into the dancing flames, getting lost in thoughts, maybe cooking marshmallows, or having fun, late-night conversations with friends or family that warms not only my feet, but my soul. I don’t even mind heading home (or to the Hilton) when I’m good and cold smelling like the great outdoors. 

Back in high school, part of our week-long homecoming events was the Friday night bonfire. We didn’t have Friday night lights (we barely had a football team) so our games were on Saturday morning and the dance was on Saturday night. Friday night, however, was probably the biggest bonfire you’ve ever seen. Pallets, tree branches, wood from a barn someone razed last summer, and who knows what else ended up in the pile. This thing usually reached a good two-stories high. 

The homecoming bonfire event was a town favorite. It wasn’t just the students and chaperones at this one. Certainly the kids were all decked out in their letterman’s jackets and school spirit-wear, but the farmers in their well-worn overalls would join the festivities as well. Whoever planned this event had to have a few planner’s skills. Knowing the bonfire was going to be huge, it was not on the school grounds, it was at the farm of a nearby family who seemed to always have a kid in high school. They had plenty of land and the space with enough distance from structures or trees to keep from starting anything else on fire. Because it wasn’t at the school, someone was always available to transport any student who needed a ride back and forth to the event site. I didn’t pay too much attention to these details back then, but in hindsight, I managed to get to the bonfire every time and I walked to school, so I needed a ride.

Back then, there were probably not too many “official” rules for planning this event, but with students and fire involved, I’m sure someone considered their safety. The volunteer fire department was coordinated to be on-site standing by with a tanker truck just in case an issue arose and to put the fire out at the end of the night. I doubt in this era there would have been permits or the need for a specified pit, ring, or barrier to contain the fire in any particular place, but if planning a bonfire event today, I imagine these would be part of the planning process. 

Somebody procured the “wood” supplies, ensured they made it to the burn site, scheduled the date and time for the event with the farm owners, and perhaps planned removal of the large amount of ash that remained once the fire burned out. I’m sure there was funding for this event, so someone had to know what the budget was, what was spent in previous years, and what was available this year. Invitations, even if only fliers around the school needed to be created and distributed, albeit the marketing plan for the event.

There was definitely coordination of a small portion of the evening as a “program” since the homecoming king and queen were announced during this event. The nominees all had to be notified to be at the bonfire, a crown and sash for each member of the homecoming royal court had to be purchased, and someone had to tally the votes and declare the winners.

What sounds like a large but simple school bonfire could have involved several logistics since it was part of a week-long homecoming celebration. It never ceases to amaze me how event planning seems to sneak into even the most seemingly benign gatherings.

Where have you seen event planning sneak into something you’ve never considered before? Comment here or send me an email. I’d love to hear about it!

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