Oscott Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Oscott poster

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

What should you know about Oscott's bonfire night?

Every year, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

Why do people love these celebrations so much, and what does it mean?

Here are a few things you can do to get up to speed with the Bonfire Night.

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 to blow up the parliament.

The Bonfire Night was celebrated in 1605 and has been ever since.

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

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

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The plan was to kill the king during the process, because he was in attendance.

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

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

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were 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.

After that, we went to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK nowadays.

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

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers because of its focus on having fun.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

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 be able to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Some traditions are common:

  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.
  • There is a tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. 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 about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows and sausages. There is a traditional cake named the parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very delicious.
  • It is common for people in the UK to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • The biggest cities in the country have the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas you are bound to find firework displays and bonfires.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are all associated with Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends or family members.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit is usually the right way to go here.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you from the cold is more than welcome.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

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

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

Bottom line

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event and continues every year.

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

Over the years, it has been one of the most popular events.

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

Oscott Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Oscott, Kingstanding, Birmingham, West Midlands Combined Authority, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Oscott Bonfire Night