Ilfracombe Bonfire Night 2022

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

What information is important to know about Ilfracombe's Bonfire Night?

Every year, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

So why do people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity here.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

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 celebrated the night ever since.

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

Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king while he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up getting cold feet.

The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody after they learned about it.

The Parliament made a 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 went to the Bonfire Night because of this.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

Over the years it has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

It is obvious that this is a 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 events end with a firework display and large bonfire.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, or the toffee apples are all 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 soups too and share them with friends or other family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are lots of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events with 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 can also 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 are common:

• The bonfires are not only meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it’s very tasty.
• The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.
• There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
• Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
• It’s very common for many people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.

What should you wear to the events?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time for 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 protects you against cold weather is more than welcome.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.

Over the years, it has been one of the most impressive events.

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 many years to come!

Ilfracombe Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Ilfracombe, North Devon, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Ilfracombe Bonfire Night