Fallasburg Historical Society Hosts Burning Love Winter Party and Bonfire
By Justin Tiemeyer | contributing writer - 1/31/2024
On Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm, the Fallasburg Historical Society invites the public to join them at the schoolhouse for food, beverages, conversation, and music.
The event is called Burning Love, but Fallasburg Historical Society President, Craig Fonger, has clarified that it is not a Valentine’s Day event. “It’s more about just an excuse to have a party,” Fonger said.
In years past, the big yearly event for the Fallasburg Historical Society has taken place at Christmas time, but they feared turnout might be hurt, considering all of the conflicting events that take place near the end of December. Even the board struggled to find a day where they would all be in town, without any other commitments, so they pulled out their calendars, and February 10 was the first date they could agree upon for a winter party.
As for the title Burning Love, that has an alternate explanation, as well. “We’re bringing back the big bonfire,” Fonger explained. Though nobody at the Fallasburg Historical Society was willing to hazard a guess as to how tall past bonfires have gotten, organization leaders have no problem describing it as “the biggest fire you have ever seen.” Fonger noted that the fire is typically hot enough that folks need to keep a good distance. “Oh, gosh,” Fonger said. “You have to stand back probably a good 15 feet.”
The bonfire itself will take place across the street from Fallasburg Historical Society’s schoolhouse building, where food and drinks are served. The food will be served potluck-style. Though participants are not required to bring a dish to pass, they are more than welcome to do so.
Providing the soundtrack for Burning Love is — no, not Elvis Presley, as the singer of the 1972 hit by the same name passed away in 1977, but none other than the Hawks and Owls String Band, a well-known local group popular across greater Lowell and a staple of Fallasburg Historical Society events over the years. For those unfamiliar with Hawks and Owls, they are a two-person act, composed of singer/songwriter Bruce Ling, who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, cello, and slide guitar, and wife Becca Ling, the band’s rhythm guitarist.
More than anything, Burning Love is an open house. It is a standing welcome for anyone in the greater Lowell community, and beyond, to come to the Fallasburg Historical Village, get acquainted with the work of the Fallasburg Historical Society, and experience a sense of community, following 16 weeks of the longest nights of the year.
If food, drinks, music, and fun sound exciting, neighbors will be thrilled to find out that there is no cover charge. Anyone can enjoy the festivities, to the fullest, without spending a single cent. However, the Fallasburg Historical Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, and it runs on the generosity of the community. As such, donations are welcome, but not required, and all money raised at the Burning Love event goes to preserve and maintain the Fallasburg Historical Village for the sake of future generations.
Burning Love takes place Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 6:30 pm, at the Fallasburg Historical Village schoolhouse - 14029 Covered Bridge Road NE in Lowell. For the event link and to keep up with Fallasburg Historical Society updates, the organization can be found on Facebook @fallasburghistoricalsociety. The Society’s website at www.fallasburg.org is full of great information, as well.
