Large crowd expected for return of Hull's Thanksgiving night bonfire

HULL – The town's annual Thanksgiving bonfire is back this year after taking a one-year break forced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Fire Chief Chris Russo said the town is "making great progress" in fighting the pandemic.

"At some point, you have to move forward," he said.

Russo said the bonfire, held in the Hull Redevelopment Authority's parking lot off Hull Shore Drive Extension, can't come at a better time.

"Socially, emotionally, everyone needs an uplifting, and it's a gathering point for the town," Russo said.

It's scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25.

Russo said supply chain issues were no problem for the vendors that supply the pallets for the bonfire.

"They were more than happy to bring back their cache of pallets," he said.

The fire department, which is managing the bonfire, has relied on the Hull Department of Public Works to offload the pallets and build the bonfire, which is bigger than past years at an estimated 40 feet wide and 25 to 30 feet tall.

"They did a good job, getting them as high as they can get them," he said.

Russo said he expects a "sizable" crowd, likely a couple of thousand people, which is typical if the weather is nice. Highs during the day are expected to be in the 50s, with light winds.

"The weather is good, the wind's light. It'll be a great night to attend the bonfire," he said.

There is plenty of parking at the Department of Conservation and Recreation parking lots.

Russo said he's lived in town his whole life, 59 years, and can only remember a few cancellations during his time with the fire department, which started in 1985.

"To pull the tradition together, bring everyone out, to smile, it's amazing," he said. "I'm pretty excited."

Interest should be especially high since the bonfire originally started as a football tradition and Hull High School is set to get its first shot since 1996 at winning a Division 8 Super Bowl when it plays Randolph at Gillette Stadium at 3 p.m. on Dec. 3. 

More:HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Hull upsets No. 1 seed, gets first title shot since 1996

"People are pretty savvy," Russo said. "They find out the warm spot, the wind direction, and circle the fire on the right side."

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.