Ely Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Ely poster

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

What should you know about Ely's bonfire night?

The annual event that has been adopted as an annual event is the Bonfire Night.

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

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

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because of the Bonfire Night celebrations.

People have been celebrating the Bonfire Night since 1605.

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

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

Two of the supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance there, so the plan was also to assassinate him during the process.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up 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 that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for, and therefore the tradition to light up bonfires.

We made our way to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

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

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are experiencing today.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

People in costumes use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers at 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, these events end with a firework display and large bonfire.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are more than 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 just a few of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with friends or family.

There are attractions during the night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

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

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

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. There are bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw, stuffed with old clothes, and is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some areas you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are meant to be 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 watching the fireworks. It's possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and it 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 the fact that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here.

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

Summing up

Every year, Bonfire Night continues to be a staple event.

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

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

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it shifted towards being 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 many years to come.

Ely Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Ely, Cardiff, Cymru / Wales, United Kingdom

Organiser: Ely Bonfire Night