The Bonfire is one of the most memorable-- and sporadic-- of all traditional Princeton activiites. Like many on-going traditions, its exact origins are lost in time, but the first reported instances of sanctioned bonfires occurred to celebrate victories in baseball, not football. In former times, Yale and Princeton battled on the diamond at the conclusion of the Alumni P-rade at Reunions, and a victory set off a raucous celebration.

As football gained in popularity, and as gridiron competition with Yale and Harvard became a regular event, the Bonfire came to symbolize capture of the Big Three Title, a mythical award that bestowed bragging rights to the victor. However, it was quite possible to conquer one opponent and then lose to the other, and as a consequence, the celebratory Bonfire might appear only sporadically, leaving subsequent generations of students at a loss about the tradition and how to perpetuate it.

According to traditon, the construction of the Bonfire rested with the Dink Wearing Freshmen. It was their responsibility to gather wood from the surrounding area, often aided in large part by townspeople and campus construction workers. Once a tall pyre had been placed in the center of Cannon Green, the final adornments usually included an outhouse and an effigy of John Harvard or a Yale Bulldog, or both.

Also, by long tradition, this event was to take place on the Friday preceding the final game of the season, as both celebration and "pep rally." The actual orchestration of the event was usually somewhat loose, frequently consisting of a few words from the football captain, some cheers, lively music from the Band, and the blazing conflagration.

By Saturday morning, what had previously been a tall pyre of wood was reduced to a smouldering circle of blacken charcoal and ash, that miraculously disappeared a few days later thanks to the attentions of the grounds crew.

During the powerhouse years of football, almost every undergraduate class experienced a Bonfire at least once during his career. From 1950 until 1966 there were seven bonfires. However, since 1967, there have only been four! One consequence of this infrequency is that the Institutional memory has largely disappeared, and the 1992 Bonfire left many shaking their heads in disappointment. Part of the problem for this bonfire and its successor the following year can be attributed to the insistence of certain members of the Athletic Department that the event NOT occur on the evening prior to the final game, but rather, on a weeknight after the conclusion of the season. Apparently these sages neglected to realize that this was also the abbreviated period just prior to Thanksgiving Recess, when many students were en route home. To further undermine the event, the football team lost their final game-- and the season's championship. And finally, Mother Nature failed to cooperate, raining out the first scheduling of the event, and rendering its later immolation less than satisfactory.

After the somewhat dismal execution of what had heretofore been an extremely memorable tradition, Sam Howell '50 took it upon himself to remind all Princetonians of proper Bonfire Protocol:

• Schedule the Bonfire for the Thursday or Friday following the Yale Game, and treat it as both a Big Three celebration and a rally for the season finale.
• Assign the Freshman Class to collect scrap lumber, crates, and pallets from University workers, town merchants, and other local sources.
• Seat a stuffed bulldog in the outhouse
• Begin the festivities by unleashing the Band to roust students from across campus.
• At the foot of Blair Arch, hold a pep rally at which the head coach and team captain make brief remarks.
• Follow the anointed flarebearers to Cannon Green for ignition.

It must also be noted that much has changed in the legal and governance system since this tradition was first initiated. Modern celebrants must also contend with scheduling of Fire and Safety Officials from campus and Princeton Borough. In addition, there have been suggestions for filing appropriate Environmental Impact Documents, lest the Bonfire also be cited for inadequate emmision controls.

That said, those who have been privileged to witness a proper Bonfire will tell you that it is yet another bit of Princetoniana that stays will you all your life, as the entire campus seems huddled around the heat and light of a massive campfire. Few can forget the sight of Nassau Hall, West College, Whig, and Clio Halls all bathed in a warm golden glow of victory, as they watch orange sparks float gently heavenward.

 

Prior to the Bonfire of 2006, it had been more than twelve years since this spectacle had taken place. Many would welcome a more regular occurrence.