Is there any official estimate??

5000 max, 4000 min.

Initial reports on Saturday indicated at least twice as many, but that didn't come through.

The participants need to create a buzz about Bonfire next Fall semester and more people will come out.

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

The attendance this year was somewhat disappointing, especially when one considers a higher turn out for the "mud bowl" fire of last year. I can't help but think that all the last minute negative press regarding the injunction/burn ban unfortunately scared off a lot of potential attendees who may have been afraid that the festivities were going to be cancelled/shut down by the authorities.

A bus network that could only carry 1,000 - 2,000 ppl per hour didn't help.

Yeah we need to start planning that now. I plan on giving money next year specifically for advertising.

Watching Bonfire pre-99 on TV, it seemed that there was always a stage that was tall enough to be seen from all over. I think that is a must. A clear place from which the event is led. Something that lets the audience know who is encharge.

Don't let the look form TV fool you. I could hardly ever see the stage.

Scott Coker '92

There was a stage at the pre-'99 Bonfires?

Are my memories wrong?

Anyone have videos of Burn night, it may be good for those of us who never got to go to see how they were run.

I thought that they just used a flatbed.

If not a stage--at least a speakers area--remember it was on Television--we would watch it every year.

Wouldn't it be great to get that kind of media coverage again.

Yes, there was a stage, but it was far removed from stack and well outside perimeter and for most of us the stack and the friends that helped us build it was our primary focus.

A stage isn't really all that difficult of an addition for future burns. One of the flat bed trailers used to haul logs would more than suffice, couple that with some staqe lighting and an adequate PA and the presentation will be much improved for the crowd.

Yeah, there was a stage, I was being sarcastic. I was always inside perimeter so I never got to hear what anyone was saying. That and we marched in with the reds so I don't know what happened before Bonfire was lit.

I agree negative press hurt the attendance. How about an old-Ag Student Bonfire support group to help with PR, sound and stage and transportation/parking. Building the stack is a huge task itself, why not share the burden of public relations and the logistics of burn night with others? If more people knew Bonfire was safe, family friendly and knew how to get there, then I'm sure at least 20,000 would attend.

I parked at the Rodeo grounds and the lot could have easily held five times the amount of cars. I suggest more parking areas that are close to the site and then a map campaign to inform people how to get there. Busing from more familiar far away locations is a waste of time and buses. Close parking at least doubles the effectiveness of the buses.

I have a tape of the '98 Bonfire and would be happy to loan it to someone with a DVD burner as long as I received one of the first DVDs made.

The stage looks to be a trailer and probably only 1/4 to 1/3 of the crowd could see it, but keep in mind the crowd was about 30-40,000 for that away game Bonfire. I would enjoy seeing a presentation done the same way but using unofficial participants when necessary, i.e. former student body leaders, former coaches, former players, former Yell Leaders, etc. This will create tie-in to the Bonfires of old.

I truly appreciate all the hard work you guys put into ASB, keep up the good work!