Rift House Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Rift House poster

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

What information is important to know about Rift House's Bonfire Night?

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 with the reasons behind its popularity here.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, and also the attempt 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 against the Catholics.

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

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

The king was in attendance and so the plan was to kill him.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody.

The parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

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

It eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the year.

The origins of the event are sinister, but it has become a community event over the years.

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because the focus was on having fun.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

This is in preparation 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 the right way to go.

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

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

You're going to find a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

Food and drinks are shared with the community at smaller events that take place in countryside regions.

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 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.

There are some traditions that are common:

  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it in effigy. The effigy is usually made of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The country's biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • 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 heat up soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some parts of the country you can find kids that blackened their faces, 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 events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebration of the night.

There are a lot of foods associated with the event.

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

Some families share soups with friends or other family members, which is important to note.

In the end

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

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

Over the years, it has been one of those events that have impressed people.

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 Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for a long time.

Rift House Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Rift House, Hartlepool, Tees Valley, England, TS25 4NL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Rift House Bonfire Night