Shard End Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Shard End poster

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

What should you know about Shard End's bonfire night?

An annual event over the years, the Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations.

Why do people love the festivities so much?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

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

This happened in 1605 and has been celebrated ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that he was against the catholics.

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

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

The plan was for the king to be assassinated during the process.

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

The other conspirators were also taken into custody when they learned about the plan.

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

We traveled to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the fact that the focus was on having fun.

In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.

What should you wear at the event?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here.

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

There are attractions during the night.

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

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

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded 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.

Some traditions are common:

  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels on the shoulders are a tradition. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • There are firework displays all over the country with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find amazing firework displays and bonfires.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn a homemade model of a man. This effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in a bid to get some money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world, 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 foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are only part of the celebration.

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

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

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November as well.

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

Traditions related to the night of bonfires.

During Bonfire Night, people parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers.

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

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

Summing up

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

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and eat amazing foods.

One of the things that have impressed people over the years is the event.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it became 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 years and years to come!

Shard End Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Shard End, Birmingham, West Midlands Combined Authority, England, B34 7RP, United Kingdom

Organiser: Shard End Bonfire Night