Dawlish Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Dawlish poster

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

What should you know about Dawlish's bonfire night?

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

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

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night here.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament in order to celebrate the failure of his attempt.

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

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

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

They came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

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

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody after 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 light up bonfires on the 5th of November due to being a day to be thankful for.

We were eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

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

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because they were focused on having fun.

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

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

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

Some families share soups with friends or other family members, which is important to note.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

It is clear that this is a 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 way.

The majority of the time, these Bonfire Night events include a firework display and a large bonfire.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

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

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

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

Here are some common traditions:

  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans of Guy Fawkes and his team to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The traditional parking cake is eaten on the Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • The tradition called "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money to buy fireworks. In some regions you can even find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. This effigy is meant to represent Guy Fawkes, and it’s usually made out of straw or paper, all of it stuffed within old clothes.

What should you wear at the event?

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

In preparation for the events, this is quite an interesting approach.

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

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

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

In the end

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

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

Over the years, it has been one of those events that impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there's no denying that it's become a more community-friendly event.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

Dawlish Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Dawlish Bonfire Night