Oakham Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Oakham poster

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

What should you know about Oakham's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event.

Why do people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night here.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, as well as blowing up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating ever since.

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

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Commons.

The plan was to assassinate the king as he was in attendance.

However, a conspiracy member ended up getting cold feet and he sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were taken into custody once they learned about the plan.

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

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

We were eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in many locations in the UK.

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

The fireworks manufacturers rebranded the celebration at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

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

The Bonfire Night has traditions.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes during Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, these events end with a firework display and a big bonfire.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

There are a lot of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas and treacle toffee are some of the things 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.

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or family.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community and smaller events.

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 also 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 traditions that exist:

  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a fictional character. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • Another interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in a bid to get some money for the fireworks. In some regions, 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.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.

What should you wear at the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared for the events.

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

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

Even though you don't have to dress up in a costume, a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Summing up

Every year, Bonfire Night continues, and has become a staple event over the years.

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

People have been impressed by it over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it has become 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.

Oakham Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Oakham, Sandwell, West Midlands Combined Authority, England, B69 1PZ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Oakham Bonfire Night