Blackrod Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Blackrod poster

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

What should you know about Blackrod's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years because of it's incredible festivities.

What does it mean and why do people love these celebrations so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

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

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king because he was there.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but he was cold feet.

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody after they learned about 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 in order to be thankful for.

We were led to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in many locations in the UK.

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community event over the years.

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

You will find a lot of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared by the community.

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

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

There are some common traditions:

  • There is a tradition called "Penny for the guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. People eat a traditional parking cake on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • The biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays in the country. You can find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.

What should you wear?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great time for people to show off their winter clothing.

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to travel here.

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

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The Bonfire Night celebrations are more than just a celebration with fireworks.

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

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

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November as well.

Some families share soups with friends or other family members.

Traditions are associated with the night of bonfires.

Generally, Bonfire Night is a time when people parade in costumes and they also utilize flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers.

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

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

In the end

Over time, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to come together and enjoy some great food.

Over the years, it is one of those events that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into 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.

Blackrod Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Blackrod, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Blackrod Bonfire Night