Washington Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Washington poster

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

What should you know about Washington's bonfire night?

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

Why do people love these celebrations so much, and what does it mean?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

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

In 1605 people celebrated the Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

The king was present and the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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

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

We went to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in many locations.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its origins being sinister.

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

The event of the 20th century looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of 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.

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

Here are some common traditions:

  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money for the fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The country's biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you will find amazing firework displays and bonfires all over the country.
  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made from paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the parliament building.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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 way.

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

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where they live, people tend to dress up in various costumes on 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 clothing.

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.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

bonfires and fireworks are not the only things that are celebrated at the Bonfire Night events.

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

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

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

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event.

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

The event has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became 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 many years to come!

Washington Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Somerset, Bellevue, King County, Washington, 98006, United States

Organiser: Washington Bonfire Night