Wallingford Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Wallingford poster

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

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

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

But what does it signify and 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 rundown.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

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

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

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

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

Two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was to kill the king because he was in attendance.

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

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

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

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

We went to the Bonfire Night after that.

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

The origins of the event are sinister, but it has become a community event over the years.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night" because it was focused on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebrations of the night.

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or other family members.

The Bonfire Night has traditions associated with it.

People 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.

The majority of the time, these Bonfire Night events include a firework display and a large bonfire.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

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

However, you will also 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:

  • It is very common for people in the UK to make and burn an effigy of a man. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during 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 biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find amazing firework displays and bonfires.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some even cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of bonfires. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is a tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money to buy fireworks. 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.

What are you going to wear to the events?

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

It is an interesting approach in preparation for the events.

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

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

Even though you don't have to dress up in a costume, a proper outfit that protects you against the cold is more than welcome.

At the end

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

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

It is one of the events that have impressed people in the past.

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

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

Wallingford Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Wallingford, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Wallingford Bonfire Night