Chipping Ongar Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Chipping Ongar poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Chipping Ongar?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years.

What is it that people love these celebrations so much?

Here are a few things you can do to get up to speed with the Bonfire Night.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, as well as blowing up the parliament.

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

There was a lot of anger against the king at that time, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

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

Two people came up with a plan to blow up a building.

The plan was to assassinate the king during the process.

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

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

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

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for.

Which lead us to the Bonfire Night.

The UK has a lot of Bonfire Night activities.

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

firework manufacturers rebranded the celebration at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

The event looked similar to what we are experiencing today as the 20th century progressed.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

Bonfire Night attractions

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

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but smaller events also take place.

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

There are some traditions that are common:

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

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

It is quite an interesting approach that is being prepared for the events.

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

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

It is not necessary to dress up in a costume to protect yourself against the cold weather.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

bonfires and fireworks are not the only things that are celebrated at the Bonfire Night events.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

Over the years, it has been one of the most impressive events.

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

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

Chipping Ongar Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Chipping Ongar, Epping Forest, Essex, England, CM5 9BW, United Kingdom

Organiser: Chipping Ongar Bonfire Night