South Wigston Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in South Wigston poster

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

What should you know about South Wigston's bonfire night?

Over the years the Bonfire Night has become an annual event.

Why do people like these festivities so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

Since 1605 people have been celebrating Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

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

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, however, he got cold feet.

The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody here after they learned about it.

The fact that the conspirators were caught and punished was shared by the Parliament in a public statement.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for and hence the tradition to light bonfires.

We were eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

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

The event looked similar to what we are experiencing today as the 20th century progressed.

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

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

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community, and 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 get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. There’s also a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night, named the Parking Cake. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • There's a tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. There are kids that blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting and in preparation for the events.

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

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.

The Bonfire Night is associated with traditions.

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

The failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament is a clear nod to that.

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

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire 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 just some of the things that are associated with the Bonfire Night.

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions even have their own special meals to prepare around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with their friends or family members.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

It is a great time for people to celebrate and eat amazing food.

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 is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

South Wigston Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: South Wigston, Wigston, Oadby and Wigston, Leicestershire, England, LE18 4TH, United Kingdom

Organiser: South Wigston Bonfire Night