Is there a charge to get into Bonfire to watch? My brother just told me there is and I had never heard that. Anyone know for sure?

Yes, there is a charge to get into Bonfire to watch. This fee was $1 in 2002, because the organizers believed that they had to charge an entry fee in order for the event to be private and restrict entry (to hostile or drunk people). The fee has been raised in subsiquent years to $5 in order to help recooperate the costs of Bonfire construction, publicity, organization, etc.

Personally, I feel that $5 is a small price to pay to get to witness an awesome display of Aggie Spirit alongside thousands of your fellow Aggies. I've been to five Bonfires and I feel that the show is well worth $5.

Thanks, Opie. I told my brother that if they did charge it had to be for the expenses, which was confirmed when I looked at the website. He argued that it should be covered by donors, which in a perfect world, it would be. Of course, like the university, a lot of potential big donors would may be afraid of liability if they were to officially get involved.

shevy, a long term goal of SB is to one day be able to not charge a fee at the gate. Who knows when that may be reality? Lots of the arrangements for use of land for things like parking are done on the promise of a percentage of the gate, so there is that to think about.

Lest anyone make any wrong conclusions though, SB is not out to make anyone rich or make money period. It is a non-profit organization that uses any monies realized to cover expenses. Left over funds are used for scholarships. The first ones were given out this year Further, no one in the leadership is compensated for anything they do. No salary, no cut of the gate, nothing. Only the satisfaction of knowing that the tradition held so dear can survive until the environment changes and the timing is right to return it to its rightful place.

Scott Coker '92

Every participant of Bonfire, whether they be a builder, a witness to the burn, or both; pay $5. All of you are donors.

Thanks to the donors, Bonfire is possible. Thank you, donors. Thank you for supporting Bonfire. Thank you for saying "yes" when asked for a donation. Thank you for coming out, watching Bonfire, and participating in the tradition that has shaped hundreds of thousands of lives.

A Venti White Chocolate Moca at Starbucks costs about $5. For the same cost, you could help Bonfire be a reality. Thank all of you who helped and donated. You truely are the Aggies, who have been "true to eachother, as Aggies can be".

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

Good job, Ags!