Penryn Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Penryn poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Penryn?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

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

You can get up to speed on the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick rundown.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Bonfire Night exists in the UK is because it’s a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated it ever since.

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

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring about the return of Catholicism to its rightful place.

A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to kill the king because he was there.

A conspiracy member got cold feet after sending a letter to the parliament.

The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody after they learned about it.

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful.

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays there are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event despite its origins being sinister.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers due to the focus being on having fun.

The 20th century event looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing going on.

There are many foods associated with this event.

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

These are eaten all over 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 eat soup and share it with other family members.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

It is an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

Most people like to show off their winter wardrobe during the Bonfire Night.

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

A proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to wear a costume.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires

People parade in costumes and 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 as a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events are culminating with a firework display and a very large bonfire.

Bonfire Night attractions

You're 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.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community 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.

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for fireworks. In some parts of the world 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 country's biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very tasty.
  • There 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 for blowing up the Parliament building.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

It is one of those events that have impressed people in the past.

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

Penryn Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Penryn, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Penryn Bonfire Night