Renfrew Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Renfrew poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Renfrew?

The Bonfire Night is an annual event that has been adopted as an incredible event over the years.

What is it that people love these festivities so much?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because Bonfire Night is a way to celebrate.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated the night ever since.

What happened at that time is that there was a lot of anger against the king, since many considered he was intolerant against the Catholics.

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

They came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to kill the king when he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up cold feet.

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

The Parliament made a public statement regarding the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The 5th of November was chosen by the Parliament to be a day to be thankful for.

We decided to go to the Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

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

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of the Bonfire Night are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas and treacle toffee are just some of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November as well.

It’s also important to note that some families eat soups too, and they share it with friends or other family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a good 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.

There are some traditions:

  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is interesting. Kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. In some parts of the country you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook a lot of food. A lot of people make soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the eve of Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

In preparation for the events, this approach is quite interesting.

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

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

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

Traditions associated with the night.

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 attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.

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

At the end

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

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some great foods.

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's no denying that it's become a more community-friendly event.

The most important part of Bonfire Night is happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Renfrew Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Alba / Scotland, PA4 8TU, United Kingdom

Organiser: Renfrew Bonfire Night