Downside Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Downside poster

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

What should you know about Downside'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 the festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

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 attempting to blow up the parliament in the UK.

Since 1605 people have been celebrating the Bonfire Night.

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

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

A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

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

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

Once they learned about the plan, Fawkes and Catesby as well as the other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here.

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful for it.

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its sinister origins.

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

The event of the 20th century looked very similar to what we are experiencing today.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

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

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is the right way to go here, and 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.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

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

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

Bonfire Night attractions

There are many 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.

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.

However, you will also get 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 traditions that are common:

  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. The plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building are a nod to this.
  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. In some parts of the world, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did 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 burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • There are firework displays all over the country with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

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

There are lots of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all 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.

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

Summing up

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

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

People have been impressed by it 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 to continue for years and years to come.

Downside Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Downside, Elmbridge, Surrey, England, KT11 3NQ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Downside Bonfire Night