Celebrate fall with these community bonfire party ideas. A writer shares how to start a bonfire that burns all night and how to organize bonfire food.
Autumn in Ohio is a wonderful season. The sultry heat of summer has given way to mild days and cool, crisp nights. More than 100 species of deciduous trees put on a magical show of oranges, reds and yellows in unimaginably vibrant colors. For the settlers, the long-awaited harvest is near, and the time to relax is just around the corner.
Autumn is my favorite season of the year. The best way to enjoy autumn nights is to relax around a big fire with family and friends. My wife and I have hosted many bonfire dishes and tried many bonfire party ideas over the years. Careful planning and a little know-how ensure all guests have a great time and come back year after year.
how to start a bonfire
Naturally, successful bonfire cooking requires a solid fire that starts quickly and burns for hours. As a bonfire designated contractor, we are particular about how to make a bonfire. Well-ripened hardwoods such as oak, walnut, and maple burn the longest, so I try to have more on hand. We have a large outdoor shelter to dry the wood for this purpose. Inside you’ll find a wide variety of pieces that I’ve collected and cut throughout the year. As a result, you can easily get good quality wood for campfires.
Collect the dry wood and bring it to the side yard, ready to light the fire. Start by laying out a few thick stumps in a circle to form a solid base. In the circle, throw some chopped firewood, followed by the crumbly remains of his tree from the previous Christmas. Nothing is more flammable than a one year old dead fir, spruce or pine tree. Just outside the circle, erect long branches to form a pyramid over the remains of the Christmas tree. This allows the fire to fall naturally as it burns, instead of collapsing outward into the garden. Finally, tuck small chunks of loose, easily ignitable straw into the empty spaces between the long branches.
I always pull out the garden hose before I light the bonfire. As a safety measure, thoroughly saturate the ground in a wide circle around the fire. After you’re done, keep a garden hose nearby in case the flame spreads over the lawn. Then you are ready to dip a straw in a lighter liquid, light it, and wait for the fire to blaze. Only light a fire if it is particularly dry or windy, drought, or if your area has a burn ban, postpone bonfires until conditions improve. Please give me.)
Meanwhile, my wife sets up two long folding tables in the large side yard and starts filling it with delicious food: lots of hot dogs, sausages, breads, lots of roasting sticks, all the condiments. Nearby are Graham Her Crackers, Chocolate Her Bars and Marshmallows for making s’mores. With extension cords and power bars her surge her protectors allow you to keep your slow cooker full of mashed potatoes and green bean casserole to keep warm. Hang her two bright propane lamps above the table so you’ll never miss another refill after dark.
We also strive to offer an endless variety of fun activities at Bonfire Party. We have whisks, sidewalk chalk, outdoor toys for toddlers, and sports equipment and outdoor games for the big kids. By the time everyone arrives, adults and children alike are flying his discs, footballs, and cornholes tossing his bags.
bonfire cooking
Soon it will be ready for roasting. However, the fire may still be too hot to get close to. Instead of waiting until it cools down a bit, I use a bunch of extra long homemade roasting sticks made from fresh saplings and long thin branches. At about 6 feet long, these sticks are an ideal replacement for the store-bought shorter varieties, allowing you to cook food without cooking yourself in the process. It has one or two sharp points that are carefully sharpened and ready to skewer cheesy hot dogs or juicy bratwursts.
A few minutes later, as the delicious morsels are cooked, each is placed inside a loaf of bread and covered with a variety of condiments. Part of many prepared dishes. From sweet potato casserole to potato salad, chili mac, mac and cheese, and many delicious homemade desserts, it’s a real smorgasbord.
As the fire burns further, you can create one of the simplest and most delicious dishes in the world. Grab a stick, stuff it with fluffy marshmallows, and carefully roast the sweet treat until light golden brown. Nothing beats the sweet flavors of gooey marshmallow and milk chocolate sandwiched between two crisp graham crackers.
By the time it gets dark, the air is noticeably cooler and the adults move their camp chairs closer to the fire. Soon, a shadowy figure with a flashlight in hand and a glowing bracelet on his wrist traverses several acres of property. A friendly competition to find the next clue ensues, and as roving lights pass each other in the dark, the area glows.
bonfire party ideas for big finishes
Eventually, the children’s activities ended, and I disappeared for a while and returned behind the wheel of the tractor. It’s time to finish the night with a good old hayride. Happily, the children climb into an old wagon tethered to the back of a tractor. We do all kinds of circles and figure eights around our little house. Children talk, laugh and sing together while making good memories and building friendships that will last a lifetime.
When the ride is over, the adults collect the plastic items, bag the camping chairs, gather the kids and go home. At that point, the fire will dwindle, and all the Christmas trees, logs, long branches, and even sturdy stumps will be gone. Only burning coals remain, so when another successful bonfire is over, I grab a garden hose and water them.
Our community cookouts have long been a source of a lot of fun and also provide long-term value. It might seem like it, but bonfire parties are much more than that. It is a wonderful experience of sharing joy and friendship, creating lasting memories. In this way, I hope the world is a little better for all of us.
Host your own bonfire party
Looking for more bonfire party ideas? Check out another writer’s experience hosting a bonfire party.
Want more safety tips? The National Fire Protection Association has what you need.
Mark Hall is a seasoned freelance writer who strives to share his life experiences in an informative and fun way. He lives with his wife, three daughters, and lots of poultry on his four-acre paradise in rural Ohio.
