Oakbank Bonfire Night 2022
Every year in Oakbank, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of West Lothian we gather around the bonfire.
What should you know about Oakbank's bonfire night?
The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.
What does it mean to people and why do they love these celebrations so much?
You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity here.
What is the Bonfire Night connected to?
The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because he wanted to blow up the parliament.
This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating it ever since.
There was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.
Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.
A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.
The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him.
A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but got cold feet.
The other conspirators were taken into custody here once they learned of the plan.
The Parliament made a statement that the conspirators were caught and punished.
The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for.
It led us to the Bonfire Night.
There are Bonfire Night activities in many places in the UK.
The origins of the event are sinister, but over the years it has become a community focused 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.
In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.
Bonfire Night attractions
You're going to find a lot of great 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.
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 get to watch some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.
Common traditions are here:
- The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
- In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man, similar to a scarecrow, and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
- There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.
- The "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to Bonfire Night to ask for money for fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
- The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. Many people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
The traditions associated with the night of bonfires.
People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on Bonfire Night.
The failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, is a clear nod to this.
Most of the time, these events include a large bonfire and a firework display.
What are you going to wear for the events?
Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in various costumes during Bonfire Night.
It is quite interesting that this is in preparation for the events.
The Bonfire Night is a great opportunity for most people to show off their winter clothes.
Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to travel here.
A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to dress in a costume.
Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?
The bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires.
There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.
The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all associated with the Bonfire Night.
Some regions have their own special meals to be prepared around the 5th of November as well.
Some families share their soups with friends and family members.
At the end
Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.
It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.
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 evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.
The most important parts of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come!
Oakbank Bonfire Night Event
Date: 5th November 2022
Start Time: 6pm
Finish Time: 11pm
Address: Oakbank, Winchburgh, West Lothian, Alba / Scotland, United Kingdom
Organiser: Oakbank Bonfire Night
