Sheerness Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Sheerness poster

Every year in Sheerness, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Kent we gather around the bonfire.

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

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

So why do people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few easy steps.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because he wanted to blow up the parliament.

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

There was a lot of anger against the king at that time, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

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

Two people came up with a plan to blow up a building.

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to kill him during the process.

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

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

The fact that the conspirators were caught and punished was shared by the Parliament.

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

It eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

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

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

It's clear that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

The majority of the time, there is a firework display and a large bonfire.

What should you wear to the events?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go, and something to keep in mind.

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are many foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all related to the Bonfire Night.

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

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or family members.

Bonfire Night attractions

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do in the UK.

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

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.

These are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on the Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle in this cake.
  • The biggest cities in the country have the largest firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some parts of the world, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • During the processions of Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.

Summing up

Every year, Bonfire Night continues as a staple event.

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

It is one of the events that have impressed people over the years.

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 aspects of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come.

Sheerness Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Sheerness, Swale, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Sheerness Bonfire Night