Johnstown Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Johnstown poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Johnstown?

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

Why do people love this event so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament in order to celebrate the failure of the event.

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 racist against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were both Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance so the plan was to kill him.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but he was cold feet.

Once they learned about the plan, Fawkes and Catesby as well as the other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here.

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

On the 5th of November, the Parliament decided to make it a day to be thankful.

We went to the bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in many places 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 due to the focus being on having fun.

The event looked similar as the 20th century progressed.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

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

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 even have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

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

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

It is an interesting approach that is being prepared for the events.

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

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't wear a costume.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

It is clear that this is a 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 manner.

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

Bonfire Night attractions

There are many great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly 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 get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible firework displays for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. There is a parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some regions you can even find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Nights. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.

Summing up

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a yearly event.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some great food.

Over the years, it has impressed people and is one of those events.

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

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

Johnstown Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Johnstown, Carmarthen, Sir Gaerfyrddin / Carmarthenshire, Cymru / Wales, United Kingdom

Organiser: Johnstown Bonfire Night