Friday, September 9, 2022, will be homecoming at Muleshoe High School. For the past week, and maybe a few days more, we have  watched a steady progression of city dump trucks rumble past our house full of branches, tree trunks, and occasional pieces of lumber gathered up from the city’s land fill to build a bonfire for the purpose of firing up the Mules to beat the Friona Chieftains in the homecoming game.

IMG_9926

Why do we get to watch all these dump trucks go by, you might ask. Well, because they build the bonfire at the back of the golf course driving range which just happens to be next door to us, practically in our back yard!

IMG_9923

IMG_9921

The golf course always has a pile of fallen limbs collected from all over the course during the year, so the beginnings of a bonfire were already there; the city added to it, as they have done for perhaps the last ten years or so.  The last load for this year was added Wednesday afternoon, maybe one or two loads Thursday morning, and then the road was silent.

IMG_9933

Till later Thursday afternoon when they send a front-end loader to push it all up a bit higher and tighter.

IMG_9954

And it was ready.

IMG_9956

The area in front of it was mowed and marked off to separate fans and kids from cars that might park out there. Around 7 p.m. I happen to look up and saw the trailer full of fireworks pass by, followed by some of the firetrucks.

IMG_9974

IMG_9969

About 8 o’clock the Mules black and white game bus came through with the band and color guard.

IMG_9978

And then around 8:30 the sirens told me the team would be arriving on the fire trucks.

IMG_9990

IMG_0001

A good crowd of fans was gathering despite the junior high game going on at the same time.

IMG_0003

Coach Jason Richards gave a short pep talk and gave the microphone to several of the team members to say a few words. I managed to catch no. 1 Irvin Torrez and no. 7 Sebastian Kirven as they thanked the fans for coming out.

IMG_0020

IMG_0023

IMG_0024

IMG_0027

The cheerleaders, mascot, color guard, and band contributed to the festivities in support of the team.

IMG_0028

IMG_0056

IMG_0038

IMG_0040

At 8:42 the pile that had been worked on all week was set on fire and didn’t take long to make itself known.

IMG_0047

IMG_0051

About that time, the fireworks started. Fireworks are always a hit, I think. At least I always enjoy them along with the bonfire.

IMG_0082

IMG_0091

IMG_0100

It was a nice night for a bonfire. The moon was full, there was no wind to speak of, and the temperature was pleasant. But if it had been too cold, the fire would have warmed us up.

IMG_0104 

IMG_0129

IMG_0138

Eventually the fans departed as the fire blazed on. Since it was all within walking distance for me, I came back at 10:45 to see how things were going.

IMG_0174

And again at 12: 45.

IMG_0179

Then this morning at 8:06 as the sun was about to come up, I checked again; bless its heart, still aflame for the Mules to have a good game tonight.

IMG_0187

IMG_0193

And if you bother to check, some flames will still be there tonight during the game.

Go Mules!

Thanks to Raquel Kirven, Jackson Myers, and Matt Davis for their help with this story .