A Southern Pacific Dash-9 rounding the bend along the Mississippi river in Reserve La. with a Louisiana Cajun tradition in the back ground.
The Christmas bonfires light the banks of the Mississippi River to guide Papa Nöel’s (the Cajun version of Santa Claus) on Christmas eve.
To prepare for the bonfire events, families in the communities gather on weekends in November and December to construct the mammoth
structures. The bonfire festivities have been a tradition in St. John Parish since the 1880’s. Although the origin is debated, the most popular
story is that the fires lit the way for Papa Nöel, the Cajun version of Santa Claus, as he paddled his pirogue and delivering gifts to children.
From the top of the levees you can see a Southern Pacific RS-11 is Hard at work along the Mississippi River at Cargill in Reserve La.
A Southern Pacific T&NO SW8 Phase 2 is Hard at work along the Mississippi River at Cargill in Reserve La.
