Hartlepool Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Hartlepool poster

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

What should you know about Hartlepool's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event and is one of those incredible festivities.

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

Here’s a quick roundup to help you get up to speed with the Bonfire Night, its starting point and the reasons behind its amazing popularity.

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 and also blow up the parliament.

Since 1605 people have been celebrating the Bonfire Night.

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

At that time, Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics with the vision that only an armed struggle would reinstate Catholicism to the rightful place.

The people 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 got cold feet.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after learning about the plan.

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

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

We decided to go to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays there are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

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

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

There are attractions during the night.

There are many attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks 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 get to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Common traditions are here:

  • 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.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the biggest displays. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for fireworks. 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.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

This is a clear 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.

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

What should you wear to the events?

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

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

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

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

You don't have to wear a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are just some of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with other family members.

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

Hartlepool Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Durham Street, Headland, Hartlepool, Tees Valley, England, TS24 0EL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Hartlepool Bonfire Night