Keep in mind that I got out nearly 20 years ago.That said, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief ... unless customs have been usurped ... the Papa Noel bonfire tradition was never a New Orleans thing, at all ... it has always been a phenomenon that occurs upriver from New Orleans ... along what is traditionally called the German Coast [Cote des Allemands] ... between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Other FReepers may feel free to correct me and/or bring me up to date on this if people in New Orleans have adopted this custom in recent years.
Yeah, I realize they weren't in NOLA proper, but I wasn't sure. I've been there for Christmas several times, but spent most of that time in the "Quota" or in "Met'ry"--never saw any.
I was thinking more of River Road, because the levees are more prominent to me along there. I had some client companies in Luling, Norco, Edgard, along there - and I know the bonfires were a big thing to them and to people I knew from Bat-own Rouge.
Was just hoping for something that might have made the distinction a little more graphic for MSM maroons, but I guess that won't work. Thanks.