Hayle Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Hayle poster

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

What should you know about Hayle's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years because of it's incredible festivities.

But what does it signify and why do people love these festivities so much?

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

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of the parliament.

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

There was a lot of anger towards the king due to the fact that he was against the Catholics.

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

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

The plan was to assassinate the king when he was there.

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

The conspirators were taken into custody here once they learned about the plan.

The Parliament shared the fact that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for.

Which, eventually, led us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK

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

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

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

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

Large bonfires, local events, food and drinks are shared with the community in the countryside regions where smaller events also take place.

It 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:

  • The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is quite interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money to buy fireworks. In some areas, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

What should you wear to the events?

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

It is quite an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

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

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, because you don't have to dress up in a costume.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

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

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions even have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

Traditions related to the night of bonfires.

People parade in costumes and 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, but in a safe manner.

The majority of the time, these events include a firework display and large bonfire.

Conclusion

Every year, there is a staple event called Bonfire Night.

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

It is one of the events that has impressed people over the years.

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.

The most important aspects of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come.

Hayle Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Hayle, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Hayle Bonfire Night