I'm bumping some old posts from the past few years for those who would like more info, pics, and videos from previous Bonfires.

That brings back some memories.

Chad RAB '03

You can also mention what the tradition of Bonfire is, stands for, etc...A tradition that doesn't have to be on campus for it to have its purpose. It's built by Aggies, for Aggies...hence Aggie Bonfire. It got out of hand in the 1990s, which ultimately caused a tragedy. Then it was "reborn" again with numerous changes, safety being the top priority. Many people still think that if it's not held on campus, then it's not the tradition...WRONG. People are just use to seeing it built and burned on campus. As long as the students build it, have the teamwork, leadership, etc...then the whole reason for having Bonfire is there. The students don't build Bonfire each year to burn it...they build it to learn teamwork, spirit, leadership, etc... It's burned to destroy it so new students can have the experience from scratch. It started off as a pile of trash, then freshly cut logs were added, then it was made of all logs (tee-pee design), then it was the wedding cake tier design. The wedding cake design was the most dangerous design Bonfire has seen (logs supported on top of logs). Student Bonfire builds it with every log touching the ground, but builds it in a way that it appears to be tiered like everyone is use to seeing Bonfire, but it's MUCH safer...and stays up longer! Hope this helps! Build the Hell Outta Bonfire!

You can also mention that it's the tradition of Bonfire students are wanting...not necessarily where it's held. I would love to see Bonfire go back on campus as much as the next person but I'm getting to the point that A&M has said their peace and won't let it happen. Instead, I focus my attention on Student Bonfire...the organization that continues the tradition and has made it strong once again! What many students don't realize is that too MANY Aggies, it's not a pile of wood burning. It's the experience of hardwork, teamwork, spirit, discipline, etc...while building the stack. Its burned to destroy it so future students can have the same experience from scratch. All the university did for Bonfire was provide the land, help with funding, advertise it. Bonfire has always been about the students and awlways will be. That's why when I hear people saying that they aren't going to see it burn because it's not on campus, I respond with "if that's how you feel, I don't want to see you there." Leave room for those they do care. The university doesn't have the spirit that some people claim...it's the students that attend A&M that have the spirit. The Aggie Spirit is within each student and is shown in the form of Bonfire (as well as other traditions). It's built by Aggies, for Aggies..hence Aggie Bonfire. That's why when I heard Former President Ray Bowen announce in 2002 that if Bonfire were to be on campus, it would be built by professionals. That COMPLETELY defeats the purpose behind the tradition. As long as students build Bonfire every year...the tradition is here. It's passed on each so future students will have the experience as the former students once did. That's what makes the Aggie Spirit (and Bonfire) so powerful. People who attended A&M many years ago still attend Bonfire and are proudly able to say that back when they were in college, they took part in this very tradition, that's still going on to this day. That's why, to me, Bonfire has been going on for as long as it has been and will continue to. The university brings students in for a college education, and those students build something bigger than themselves and have a part of college that will never forget. Many students also participate because their grandfather built, father built it, etc...They are taking part in something that their grandparent did so many years ago...again, having the same experience. I'm not a student...I grew up in College Station and around A&M and Bonfire. So if I feel this way about it, imagine someone who actually has taken or is taking part in it now! Build the Hell Outta Bonfire!