Bonfires return to Lake Worth beach

Bonfires on the Beach are back! As a Lake Worth resident, I love this freebie presented by my city. 

The bonfires bring the crowds to the Lake Worth Beach every other Friday evening, once turtle-nesting season is over. The city's lifeguards build and staff the bonfires, which begin about 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. or so. The shops and restaurants stay open late to serve the onrush of customers.

Friday was the first one of the season. By 7 p.m., several hundred had gathered to toast marshmallows and enjoy the bonfires listening to the waves lapping on the shore. And it wasn't even the peak time -- between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. In past years, as many as 1,500 would gather for the bonfires. 



The Elite Soccer Academy girls U-11 soccer team held its practice on the beach after school, then the girls stayed for pizza -- plain and pepperoni -- and the bonfire.  

The lifeguards build two fires with wood provided by the city's Public Services workers. The large one is for adults and others who want a marshmallow-free experience. A mini-one has a pit for kids and other marshmallow-roasters to let their legs dangle inside and roast their marshmallows safely.

In years past, the city provided the marshmallows. But budget cuts have slashed the extras, so now it is BYOM (bring your own marshmallows), s'mores fixings and long sticks. On the second Fridays, the Ocean Rescue chief doubles as the DJ. Live music is presented on the fourth Fridays.

The city has hosted the bonfires for nearly 30 years, said Ocean Rescue Chief Timothy Ehmke. About eight years ago, the city cancelled them for a season because of budget problems. 

Here's a look at Bonfires on the Beach, too bad the photos are not scratch and sniff!

The mini-one has kids roasting marshmallows. Notice the
long sticks.

The large bonfire built for looking and feeling but not for roasting marshmallows.

Another view of the small bonfire with adults roasting marshmallows for kids.

Ocean Rescue Chief Timothy Ehmke spins the tunes.

A free transport is available from the lower lot and other areas of the vast
municipal beach complex. I walked from the lower residents lot and added
.5 mile or nearly 1,000 steps to my walking total that day.

And now, for my numbers

I had my best walking day last week on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, when I walked:

Steps: 12,964
Miles: 6.5