Lancing Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Lancing poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Lancing?

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

What does it mean to people and why do they love them 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 associated with?

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

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

At that time there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

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

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

The king was in attendance there, so the plan was also to assassinate him during the process.

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody here after they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for and therefore the tradition to light bonfires.

We ended up going to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over 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 because the focus was on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing happening.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

In fact, things like the jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee or the toffee apples are widely associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November as well.

Some families share their soups with friends and other family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events with food and drinks being shared with the community.

It has become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will get to see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some common traditions:

  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions there is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is one of the more interesting traditions. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world, 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.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man. The effigy is usually made from straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers during Bonfire Night.

The failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament is a clear nod to this.

There is a firework display and a large bonfire at most of the time.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

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

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is the right way to go.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that helps you protect yourself against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Bottom line

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

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

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 the event has become a more community-friendly event.

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

Lancing Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Lancing, Adur, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Lancing Bonfire Night