Longridge Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Longridge poster

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

What should you know about Longridge's bonfire night?

Over the years the Bonfire Night has been an annual event.

But what is it that makes people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity by reading this quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

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.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being too tolerant of 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 present and the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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

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

We eventually headed to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

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

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

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

You are going to find a lot of 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, but smaller events also take place.

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 are common:

  • "Penny for the Guy" is one of the more interesting traditions. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some areas you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • 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. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on the Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to burn a homemade model of a man. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the parliament building.

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

In preparation for the events, this is an interesting approach.

The Bonfire Night is a great opportunity 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 though you don't have to dress up in a costume.

Traditions related to the night of bonfires.

During Bonfire Night, 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.

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

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration.

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and toffee apples are all 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.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.

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

It has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it 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 continue for years and years to come.

Longridge Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Longridge, Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Longridge Bonfire Night