RIVER PARISHES, La. (WAFB) - Papa Noel is coming down the Mississippi River for Christmas, but he’s not the only one traveling a long distance for Christmas.

Around 200 bonfires were built, including a custom, 78-foot alligator in Garyville. All of the bonfires were lit Christmas Eve night to lead the way for Papa Noel down the Mississippi River.

He's the jolly fellow in the big red suit and you may know him as Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but in south Louisiana he takes on a different name. That name is Papa ...