Whitwick Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Whitwick poster

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

What should you know about Whitwick'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 by following this quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

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

In 1605 people celebrated the Bonfire Night.

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

The plan was to kill the king while he was there.

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

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

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

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

Which eventually took us to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that it is sinister in nature.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers due to the focus on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are popular during the night?

The events of the Bonfire Night are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared for the 5th of November.

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

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

It is obvious 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, these Bonfire Night events are culminating with a firework display and a very large bonfire.

What should you wear to the event?

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

In preparation for the events, this is quite an interesting approach.

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

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

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, you mostly 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 also get to enjoy 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:

  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a fictional character. All of the effigy is stuffed within old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
  • There is an interesting tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, which is why they are not just a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people heat up soup for people to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the evening of Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • The biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are likely to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • There's a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.

In the end

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

It’s a great opportunity for people to reconnect, celebrate and also enjoy some amazing foods.

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

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

The most important part of Bonfire Night is happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Whitwick Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Whitwick, Thringstone, North West Leicestershire, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Whitwick Bonfire Night