Rastrick Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Rastrick poster

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

What should you know about Rastrick's bonfire night?

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

Why do people love these festivities?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of that attempt.

Since 1605 people have celebrated Bonfire Night.

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 bring Catholicism back to the rightful place.

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

The king was in attendance and the plan was to assassinate him.

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

Also, the Parliament chose to declare the 5th of November as a day to be thankful for, and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

The origins of the event are sinister, but it has become a community 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 event of the 20th century looked more and more similar to what we are seeing today.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared among the community.

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 people.

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

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. Many people heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat during Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothing.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is quite interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. There are kids that blackened their faces in some parts of the country, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are more than a celebration with fireworks.

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

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 soups with friends or family members.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire 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 Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, in a safe manner.

Most of the time, the events of Bonfire Night include a firework display and a large bonfire.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

It is quite interesting that this is being prepared for the events.

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

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

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

At the end

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

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

Over the years it has impressed many people.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it has evolved into 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 of Bonfire Night.

Rastrick Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Rastrick, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, HD6 3HJ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Rastrick Bonfire Night