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STEPHENVILLE (October 13, 2015) — The L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire is a wonderful Tarleton State University tradition that rallies the purple and white each year during homecoming. To better assist with parking and help students without transportation, the university’s Parking Department will utilize four shuttle buses to transport students to and from bonfire at the Tarleton Agricultural Center/College Farm.
On Friday, Oct. 16, pickup for bonfire will be located on Rome Street in front of the Recreational Sports Center, while drop-off will be at the Equine Center at the College Farm. Both pickup and drop-off areas are close to buildings in case of inclement weather.
The four shuttles will run one route to and from the College Farm. Starting pickup time will be 7 p.m. and will run continuously until 11:30 p.m. For those who do not live on campus but wish to take the shuttle, there will be parking available in Lot P26 across from the Recreational Sports Center.
The shuttle should take approximately 15 minutes to travel to the College Farm where bonfire is located. Travel time will be affected by traffic, so passengers are advised to be patient. By taking the shuttle, students and alumni can enjoy the trip to and from bonfire without the hassle of taking their own vehicle.
For those who are driving out to enjoy this year’s bonfire, university officials ask guests to pay close attention to the directions by law enforcement officers and their assistants, wearing traffic vests.
Parking will be provided in various lots and fields at the College Farm. Traffic will be controlled as a one-way entry onto College Farm Road leading to the bonfire location. The best route to the bonfire is eastbound on FM 8 (Lingleville Highway) toward US Hwy. 281. Motorists will be directed to turn north (left) onto College Farm Road into the College Farm property.
Vehicles will be lined up in rows along fence lines to maximize parking in front of the swine barn. Follow the directions of parking assistants. Use caution when driving at the College Farm as there will be numerous pedestrians, law enforcement officers and the occasional deep hole or trench.
As a warning, vehicles may be blocked in until those parked in front of leave. No parking will be allowed on the sides of College Farm Road. Vehicles that are left in an area that blocks traffic along College Farm Road, which serves as the main entrance into the College Farm, will be subject to towing. College Farm Road will be one-way during Friday’s bonfire.
“Bonfire is a very old tradition at Tarleton and we all wish for it to be a safe event,” said Sgt. Amanda Miller. “After the bonfire is lit, keep a safe distance away from the fire. Once the fire spreads over the whole structure, move back. Unsafe actions will result in removal from the bonfire along will other possible consequences.”
To leave bonfire, guests will be directed to exit the area northbound on College Farm Road and follow the gravel county road out to the Southwest Regional Dairy Center at the intersection of US Hwy. 281. Motorists will turn southbound (right) to travel back into Stephenville. Guests will be required to continue straight on US Hwy. 281 until they reach East Washington Street (Bus. 377), where traffic will turn west (right) toward the town square if wishing to return to campus.
All guests are advised that Tarleton’s Homecoming Bonfire is an alcohol-free event.
About the L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire
A Tarleton tradition started during the 1920s, the burning of the bonfire takes place on Friday evening of Homecoming week. The Plowboys organization is responsible for building and guarding the bonfire. The Homecoming Court is recognized during the festivities. The bonfire has been dedicated to L.V. Risinger, acclaimed defender of the bonfire during the air raid of 1939. Mr. Risinger died in 1994.
To learn more about the 1939 Bonfire Incident which gave rise to L.V. Risinger’s heroic act, visithttp://www.tarleton.edu/library/crosstimbers/collections/tsucollection/TAN00046P.html.
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