Atherton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Atherton poster

Every year in Atherton, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Greater Manchester we gather around the bonfire.

What information is important to know about Atherton's Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible celebrations.

Why do people love these festivities so much, what does it mean?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick article.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of that attempt.

This happened in 1605 and has been celebrated ever since.

There was a lot of anger towards the king due to the fact that he was against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that only an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

These two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The king was in attendance and so the plan was to kill him.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up getting cold feet.

After learning about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody here.

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for, and therefore the tradition to light bonfires.

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister in nature.

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the focus on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires.

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are just some of the things associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November.

It is important to note that some families share soups with friends or other family members.

There are some traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers during Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events with food and drinks shared with the community.

It has become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will also be able to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible firework displays for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world, you can find kids blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat during Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team made to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where they live, people tend to dress up in various costumes on Bonfire Night.

This approach is in preparation for the events.

Most people like to show off their winter clothes during the Bonfire Night.

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here, and certainly something to keep in mind.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Conclusion

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.

The event has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it became a more community-friendly event.

The most important parts of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come.

Atherton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Atherton, Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, M46 0DU, United Kingdom

Organiser: Atherton Bonfire Night