Walton on Thames Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Walton on Thames poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Walton on Thames?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for a long time.

So why do people love these festivities so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament in order to celebrate the failure of the event.

In 1605 people celebrated the Bonfire Night.

What happened at that time is that there was a lot of anger against the king, since many considered he was intolerant against the Catholics.

Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him.

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

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody here.

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

On the 5th of November, the Parliament decided to make it a day to be thankful.

We eventually headed to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK in locations like Surrey.

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community focused 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 a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

It is clear that this is a 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 way.

Most of the time, the events of Bonfire Night include a firework display and a large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, although smaller events also take place.

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 be able to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

These are some traditions that are common:

  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. All of the effigy is stuffed within old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels on the shoulders are a tradition. This is in reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are only meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

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

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

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

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

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or other family members.

What are you going to wear for the events?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

This approach is quite interesting, and it is being prepared for the events.

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

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

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.

In the end

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

It is a great time for people to get together and enjoy some great food.

It has impressed people over the years.

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

The most important aspects of Bonfire Night are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for a long time.

Walton on Thames Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Walton on Thames Bonfire Night