Wishaw Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Wishaw poster

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

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

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What is it that makes people love these events so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this short article.

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 blow up the parliament in the UK.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated it ever since.

There was a lot of anger towards the king due to the fact that he was against the Catholics.

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

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

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

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

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

The fact that the conspirators were caught and punished was shared by the Parliament.

Also, the Parliament chose to declare the 5th of November as a day to be thankful for, and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

Which eventually lead us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community-focused event over the years.

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because they were focused on having fun.

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

There are many traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

This is obviously 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.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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.

Most people like to show off their winter clothes on Bonfire Night.

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

If you want to protect yourself against the cold weather, a proper outfit is more than welcome.

There are attractions during the night.

You will find many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will also get to see 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:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, and stuffed with old clothes.
  • There is a tradition 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 fireworks. In some parts of the world, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had in order to blow up the parliament building.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a lot of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • There are firework displays throughout the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. There are bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

The Bonfire Night celebrations are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

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

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

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with friends or family.

Summing up

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 foods.

It is one of those events that has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it has evolved into 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!

Wishaw Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Alba / Scotland, ML2 7BL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Wishaw Bonfire Night