Shepway Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Shepway poster

Every year in Shepway, 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 Shepway's Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

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 with a quick list.

What is a common association with 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.

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

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 return Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to assassinate the king when he was in attendance.

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

The other conspirators were also taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and said that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it was a day to be thankful for.

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

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

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 due to the focus on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are a lot of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

It has become a community-focused event for a lot of people, where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will also get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Common traditions are here:

  • Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some areas, 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.
  • An effigy, a homemade model of a man, is very common in the UK. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothing.
  • 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 bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. 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 meant just to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of bonfire. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake, and it is very tasty.

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with other family members.

What should you wear to the events?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great opportunity for most people to show off their winter clothes.

Something to remember is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

The traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

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 way.

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

At the end

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event, and it continues every year.

It’s a great opportunity for people to reconnect, celebrate and also enjoy some amazing foods.

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

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it has evolved into 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 many years to come.

Shepway Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Folkestone and Hythe, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Shepway Bonfire Night