Haddington Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Haddington poster

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

What should you know about Haddington's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has evolved into an annual event.

Why do people love these celebrations?

You can get up to speed on the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick rundown.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament, which is why Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK.

In 1605 people celebrated the Bonfire Night.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was thought to be against the Catholics.

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

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

The plan was to assassinate the king as he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, however, he got cold feet.

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it was a day to be thankful.

We were led to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because of its 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 for Bonfire Night.

You are bound to find some amazing attractions and events throughout 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 great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people

You will also 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.

Here are some traditions:

  • 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 from straw or paper and stuffed into old clothes.
  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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 prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or family members.

What should you wear to the event?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in different costumes on Bonfire Night

This is in preparation for the events, and it is quite interesting.

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

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

You don’t have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that helps you protect yourself against the cold weather is more than welcome.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

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 manner.

Most of the time, these events end with a firework display and large bonfire.

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

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

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved over the years 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 years and years to come!

Haddington Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Haddington, East Lothian, Alba / Scotland, EH41 3JA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Haddington Bonfire Night