GRAMERCY - Weather will not dampen a popular tradition along the Mississippi River in St. James Parish.

Officials said Wednesday after a meeting with the National Weather Service, the annual lighting of the bonfires will happen as scheduled Christmas Eve night. Earlier, officials said they were concerned about the potential for naughty weather ahead of Christmas.

"We're pretty excited," Ragie Yehi said in a previous interview about the situation Tuesday. "Christmas Eve is special for everybody. We might get a little bit of rain, but hey, we'll find some umbrellas and pass them along. It's all about coming out and having a good time, socializing and lighting these fires so Santa can find his way out there."

Bonfires start burning around 7 p.m. Thursday.

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