Kings Norton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Kings Norton poster

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

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

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What is it that makes people love these events so much?

Here are a few things you can do to get up to speed with the Bonfire Night.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

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

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated it ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was thought to be against the Catholics.

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

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him during the process.

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

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

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

We eventually ended up at the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community-focused event over the years.

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

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers during 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, in a safe manner.

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

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it is quite interesting.

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

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

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 events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing going on during the night.

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

Some families share soups with friends or other family members, which is important to note.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

The UK has a lot of amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, there are usually 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 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 pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

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

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

The event has impressed many people over the years.

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.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

Kings Norton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Kings Norton, Birmingham, West Midlands Combined Authority, England, B38 8SD, United Kingdom

Organiser: Kings Norton Bonfire Night