The Magic of Bonfires

Joshua Finch, 2024

I’ve always loved the simple things, and bonfires are an incredibly easy and fun way to bring people together. Whereas a campfire gives limited warmth for only a few people, bonfires are much larger and can provide heat and light for huge groups of friends.

Where else do you get to cook your own food over an open flame? Everything tastes better when cooked over a fire (if you’ve made s’mores in the microwave before, you know exactly what I mean). Somehow, a bonfire never ceases to amaze. It’s mysterious and familiar all at the same time. You can relax in a camp chair by yourself, catch up with old friends, or simply enjoy being outdoors, under the stars. Bonfires have always been a way to step outside of the craziness of life, to slow down, and to enjoy great company. There’s no price for admission at a bonfire, no expectations, no requirements to participate. The only downside is the drive home, when you realize you smell like a forest fire and have sticky marshmallow bits all over your face. Which is totally worth it!

There’s no better place for meaningful conversations and good laughs. For me, the best part about a good bonfire is that I feel so connected to the present moment. I’m not trying to guess at what the future might hold, and not dwelling on the past. I’m simply there. Something about fire draws us in, brings us together, and allows us to enter into a seemingly alternate dimension where time slows to a stop. In an era where society is divisive in the extreme, a social bonfire allows us to forget perceived differences and come together. Bonfires are unique in that they’re essentially all the same, and yet every one is memorable and distinct in its own way. There’s no better place to get in touch with your inner pyro, and in a way, connect with our distant ancestors who relied on fire for heat, light, and security. Our circumstances may have changed, and our way of life may be completely different from our predecessors who lived thousands of years ago, but a bonfire will always bring people together, which is so crucial now, more than ever.