Saffron Walden Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Saffron Walden poster

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

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

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has evolved into an annual event.

Why do people love these events?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity by reading this quick rundown.

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.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating 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 return Catholicism to the rightful place.

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to kill the king during the process.

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody after learning about the plan.

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

The Parliament decided that the 5th of November would be a day to be thankful for.

We went to the Bonfire Night because of that.

There are Bonfire Night activities in many locations in the UK.

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 to "Bonfire Night" because it was focused on having fun.

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

The Bonfire Night has traditions.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting and is being prepared for the events.

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

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

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

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night celebrations are more than just a celebration with fireworks.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

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

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 for Bonfire Night.

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

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

A lot of people think that Bonfire Night has become a community-focused 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 fireworks for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook a lot of food. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a model of a man and 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 in order to ask for money for the fireworks. In some regions you can even find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

It has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it shifted towards being 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.

Saffron Walden Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, Essex, England, CB10 1NQ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Saffron Walden Bonfire Night