Alright guys...I'm gonna try to get this kicked off again this year.
When my family moved back to TX in 2008, I couldn't wait to get back to Aggieland and let my boys experience Bonfire. We attended in '08 and '09 (of course, last year's was burn banned). Some of the things I've noticed:
1. Very few Old Ags know that Bonfire is going on (see previous comment on this post). We need to do something to get the word out better. Is there anything that can legally go out from SB to each President of local Aggie Clubs so they can send it out to their local Aggies?
2. We got to Burn Site early to avoid the traffic. Last year, I suggested making the event a bit more "entertaining" from early afternoon to burn. Allow some of the local restaurants to attend (like they do outside the stadium at home FB games) so there are more options than hot dogs/coke. Part of signing up would require them to donate some percentage (50%) back to SB.
3. Set up a series of local Texas Country bands on a flatbed there beside stack. Draw people earlier in the day so that traffic just before burn is less and so people spend more time at site (with no alcohol) and don't hang out in their dorms/apartments getting wasted until just before burn.
4. Have WAY more Bonfire stuff to buy. Both years I've attended, we bought bumper stickers and tshirts. Remember, Old Ags SPEND MONEY and Student Bonfire NEEDS money. So give them something to buy to raise money for the organization. Things like "log rings" with ATM and the year (Bonfire 2011) burned into them. Bonfire ribbons (Remember '99). Lots of different tshirts (remember that ladies like shirts with different cuts and lots of bling!).
5. Have a huge screen and show marketing videos for Bonfire, the football team, maybe play "We've Never Been Licked" right at dark before we light Bonfire.
6. Have various activities (Quarterback challenge, pitching challenge, etc) for kids.
All in all, make it an atmosphere that encourages people to come earlier, encourages families to join and introduce their kids to Bonfire, and provides options for Old Ags to give to the SB organization.
BTHOtu!
Jud Chappell '90
Crew Chief '89, '90