Kelty Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Kelty poster

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

What should you know about Kelty'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 the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with this quick list.

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 the attempt to blow up the parliament.

The Bonfire Night was celebrated in 1605 and has been celebrated ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king because 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 people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

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

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

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

The Parliament made a public statement regarding the situation, shared the fact that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a day to be thankful for.

Which eventually took us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

The origins of the event are sinister, but over the years it has become a community event.

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

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

Traditions related to the night of bonfires.

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

It is obvious 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 way.

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

There are attractions during the night.

There are many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community and smaller events.

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 be able 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 that exist:

  • The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all sorts of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the evening of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • The biggest cities in the country get the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is intriguing. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw, and stuffed with old clothes.
  • 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 Parliament.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

There are many things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all related to the Bonfire Night.

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

Some families share their soups with friends or family members.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting and in preparation for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here, and 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.

In the end

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

It is a great time for people to get together and enjoy some great 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’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

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

Kelty Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Kelty, Fife, Alba / Scotland, KY4 0DA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Kelty Bonfire Night