A Bonfire Party is usually not a party that you send invitations out for. They usually occur spontaneously on summer nights when there is nothing else to do. They are a great way to get out in the fresh air and enjoy the company of nature, as well as a few dozen of your closest friends. Bonfire Parties must be held outdoors, that is unless you want to burn down your house(since we don't advocate arson, please take it outside). The best outdoor location is one that is obscure and somewhat secretive. There are however a couple of different outdoor areas that would probably be better choices than others. A beach is the best location to have a bonfire, especially one by a small pond. The second best is in a sandy pit. Wherever you decide to have   your gathering, just make sure that the actual bonfire is on a spot where it is not going to easily ignite the surrounding countryside. Nobody likes to be blamed for setting a brush fire that destroys a few hundred acres.

After carefully choosing a spot to have your bonfire, you must make a few preparations. Experienced outdoor party goers will have the necessary supplies with them at all times. For those of you new to this adventure here's a handy dandy checklist to follow;

• Make sure you have an ample supply of wood. You can't have a successful fire without this key ingredient. (Yell, "Now that's a fire!" after you have it lit, you'll feel good.)
• Bring something to start the fire with. Rubbing two sticks together does work, however it takes quite a long time.
• Pack a shovel with you. This handy item serves a dual purpose. The first is to dig a shallow pit to place the actual fire in and the second is to aid in the putting out of the fire. Don't forget boys and girls that you can't just walk away from a burning fire and assume that it will put itself out. You have to give it a little help.
• Get some lawn chairs. Standing around a fire is okay, but sitting around a fire is much more enjoyable. Logs can serve this purpose, however they have a tendency to be used as fuel later on in the evening.
• Get a cooler. There is nothing better than sipping on an ice cold beer while sitting around a bonfire. The best way to keep the rest of the beer cold is to bring a cooler with plenty of ice in it. A cooler can also make a great seat, except for the fact that you usually have to keep getting up to allow others to get an ice cold beverage from within.
• Bring a radio. This is an essential item especially if you are in an area where you cannot use a nearby car radio.
• Bring a trash bag to place empties into. If you keep your party area clean it is less likely that anyone will discover your secret location, plus your woodland friends will appreciate it.

Now that you have gone down the checklist, there are a couple of other things to keep in mind. Large gatherings are always fun, just make sure there is enough parking for all invited. If not, car pool. Make sure to pick a spot where you are not going to get yourselves arrested. Many landowners do not take kindly to a bunch of people drinking and setting fires on their property. Try to avoid letting the entire town know where you are having your gathering. Too many unknown people can spoil any gathering, plus they may be a little careless and accidentally alert the authorities to your location. This is always bad.

There really are no set rules for having a bonfire party. They are what you make of them. The guidelines we have set down should be taken to heart. We have plenty of experience with these types of parties and consider ourselves something of experts on the subject.

AUTHORS EXPERIENCES:

We have spent many a spring, summer, fall and even winter night having a Bonfire Party. Some were uneventful and some nearly landed us in jail. Perhaps the most amusing experience was the time we had three police cars and one brushbreaker fire truck come put an end to our fun. We learned that no matter how secure you think your location is, there is always something, or someone that will eventually come along and ruin your fun. So choose your location well and limit the number of people who know where it is.

  Music: Any type of music is acceptable. Just remember that excessive volume can attract undesirable elements. If you're having the fire by a pond and feel like doing a bit of swimming it's always a bit more dramatic to play R.E.M.'s "Night Swimming" (Automatic for the People) upon entering the water.

Drink: Beer is the easiest to manage. Mixed drinks can be a nice change if you want to bring the necessary items

Location: Outdoors dummy!

Underwear: Long Johns if it is a bit chilly, if not....then what the heck, pink poka dot boxers.

FINAL NOTE: Dress appropriately, and don't be surprised when your clothes smell like bacon. Do this tradition right and keep the spirit of the outdoor party alive.