Ripponden Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Ripponden poster

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

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

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

What does it mean to people and why do they love them so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament in order to celebrate the failure of his attempt.

In 1605 this happened and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king because he was seen as being against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

These two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was to assassinate the king when he was there.

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

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

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

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

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

In locations like West Yorkshire, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

Over the years it 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 to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because the focus was on having fun.

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

There are attractions during the night.

You will find many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people because everyone has a great 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 fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. 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 regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.
  • In the UK it is very common for people to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed into old clothes.
  • Some of the largest firework displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. You can find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • There's a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some cooks wrap potatoes in a foil and cook them with marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle in this cake.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on Bonfire Night

It's clear that this is a nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it is quite interesting.

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 wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or other family members.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

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

Even if the origins of the 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 many years to come.

Ripponden Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Ripponden, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Ripponden Bonfire Night