By Caleb Frey

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Across the levees through the river parishes of St. James and St. John, bonfires will light the night on Christmas Eve as they have for the last two centuries.

&#8220We’ve sold 130 permits this year for St. James,” Economic Development Director for St. James Parish, Edie Michel, said. &#8220This has been going on for 200 years. It’s a long-standing tradition.”

St. John Parish has sold an addition 32 permits for bonfires according to the St. John Department of Public Safety

At 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the bonfires will be lit in unison, but that’s not the only thing to see or do, according to Michel.

Michel wants people who plant to attend to know this is not the type of event you would wear heels or diamonds to.

Bring your sweatshirts and jackets and warm comfortable clothes,” Michelle said.

For more information on the event call the St. James Parish Welcome Center at 1-800-for-stja.