the Camp Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in the Camp poster

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

What should you know about the Camp's bonfire night?

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

Why do people love these events so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick overview.

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, as well as the attempt to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since many thought he was against the Catholics.

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

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

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

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

The conspirators were taken into custody here after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in honor of being thankful.

We went to the Bonfire Night due to this.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The focus is on having fun, which is why the celebration was rebranded at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night.

The event of the 20th century looked very similar to what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing happening during the night.

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas and treacle toffee are just some of the things associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

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

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where you 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 clothes.

Something to keep in mind is the fact that a winter knit with a classical touch is the right way to go here.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't need to dress up in a costume.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

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

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

There are attractions during the night.

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

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared by 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 get 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:

  • It is very common for 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 and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. People eat a traditional parking cake on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • The tradition is 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. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • 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 firework displays and bonfires.

Bottom line

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

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

Over the years, it has been one of those things that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has become a more community-friendly event.

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

the Camp Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: The Camp, St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, AL1 5RP, United Kingdom

Organiser: the Camp Bonfire Night