Monifieth Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Monifieth poster

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

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

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

Why are people so fond of these festivities?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity here.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I and also blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king at that time, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were both Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

The two supporters 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 ended up getting 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 fact that the conspirators were caught and punished in a public statement.

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 lots of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the fact that the focus was on having fun.

In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

Large bonfires, local events, food and drinks are shared with the community in the countryside regions where smaller events also take place.

It has become a community-focused 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.

These are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of bonfires. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities in the country. Even in rural areas, you can find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • A tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It’s very common for many people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. This effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Another tradition is called "Penny for the guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for the fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some parts of the country, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

Which foods are popular during the night?

The events of the Bonfire Night are more than just a celebration with bonfires and 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 to prepare around the 5th of November.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

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

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

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 and you don't have to dress up in a costume.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People in costumes 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, but in a safe way.

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

Summing up

A staple event over the years, Bonfire Night continues every year.

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

Over the years, it has impressed people.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event.

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

Monifieth Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Monifieth, Angus, Alba / Scotland, DD5 4AA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Monifieth Bonfire Night