Bathgate Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Bathgate poster

Every year in Bathgate, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of West Lothian.

What should you know about Bathgate's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

Why do people love these celebrations?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick overview.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also attempting to blow up the parliament in the UK.

In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against 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.

The two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was to kill the king during the process.

A conspiracy member got cold feet and wrote a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a way to be thankful.

We went to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities can be found throughout the UK.

The origins of Bonfire Night are sinister, but over the years it has become a community focused event.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers because of its focus on having fun.

The event looked similar as the 20th century progressed.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes.

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as it was a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do in the UK.

Food and drinks are shared with the community at smaller events that take place in countryside regions.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community event where everyone has a great time, and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will get to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some common traditions:

  • The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • There are firework displays throughout the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. You can find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, which is why they are not just a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. The traditional parking cake is eaten on the Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it in effigy. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • There is an interesting tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

What should you wear at the event?

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

It is quite interesting that this is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great time to show off your winter clothes.

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

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only things happening.

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all associated with Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families eat soups too and share them with friends or family members.

Conclusion

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event, and continues every year.

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

It’s certainly one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

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

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

Bathgate Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Bathgate, West Lothian, Alba / Scotland, EH48 1PA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Bathgate Bonfire Night