Taunton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Taunton poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Taunton?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

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 by reading this.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Bonfire Night exists in the UK is because it’s 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.

This happened in 1605 and has been celebrated ever since.

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

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

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

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

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

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

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

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

We were led to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community focused event over the years.

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.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

Bonfires and fireworks are not the only things that can be celebrated at the Bonfire Night events.

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

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

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

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

You will 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, but there are also smaller events.

For a lot of people, 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 also be able to see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some traditions that are common:

  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not just a symbol of the failed complot. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup for them. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. There is a parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake.
  • It’s very common for many people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • During the processions of Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his group had to blow up the Parliament building.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared 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 a good way to go here.

If you want to protect yourself from the cold weather, a proper outfit is more than welcome.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night continues as a staple event.

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some 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 it has become 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.

Taunton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Taunton, Somerset West and Taunton, Somerset, England, TA1 1JD, United Kingdom

Organiser: Taunton Bonfire Night