Hampden Park Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Hampden Park poster

Every year in Hampden Park, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of East Sussex we gather around the bonfire.

What should you know about Hampden Park's bonfire night?

An annual event over the years, the Bonfire Night is one of those incredible celebrations.

Why do people love these festivities?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick rundown.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that he was celebrating the failure of the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating Bonfire Night ever since.

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

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring about the return of Catholicism to its rightful place.

The two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The king was in attendance and 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 when they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were caught and punished.

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

Which led to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in many places.

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community focused event over the years.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century because of the focus on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

This is a clear nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

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

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go, and something to keep in mind.

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only things happening.

There are a lot of foods associated with the 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.

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or family.

There are attractions during the night.

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

Some traditions are common:

  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake.
  • The biggest cities in the country have the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays.
  • The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.
  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some 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.
  • In the UK it is very common for people to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.

At the end

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

It's a great time for people to celebrate and eat amazing foods.

It’s certainly one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

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

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.

Hampden Park Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Hampden Park, Station Approach, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, BN22 9ND, United Kingdom

Organiser: Hampden Park Bonfire Night