Texas Guy Fawkes Party and Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night Information
Although Texas is a long way from Britain, we have British residents living in this area and I honor them, and the Guy Fawkes tradition, with an annual bonfire night celebration. November 5 is the actual Guy Fawkes Day in Britain. That date is the big fireworks night in the U.K., although bonfire nights are celebrated several weeks before and after that date now. Below are some photos that show a little about our fireworks and party activities.
Our 2001 party was held November 3rd. We had a very large turnout of people this year, helped by the fact our weather was perfect. Guests brought their favorite food dish to share and we were treated to such things as sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, trifle, shepard's pie and so many other things. I always provide the bangers (English sausages) and this year we cooked two full cases of them. We fired by far the longest and most varied firework display in the nine year history of the party. Effects used were almost 200 consumer reloadable shells fired out of a 50-shot mortar rack, fifty repeater cakes, three excellent wheels, two Roman candle batteries, 2 superb fountains and three cracker strings.
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My display for the party is mainly composed of selected consumer repeating aerial effects, commonly known as "cakes". |
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Each scene in the display uses three of the same cake fused together to fire at the same time. In 2001 we fired many single cakes, which allowed us to present 42 different effects. |
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The finale, 32 cakes of shells, silver comets and whistles. |
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Our 2001 party also featured wheels that were as colorful on the post as they were when fired. |
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This was our "Guy" for 2001. An effigy of Guy Fawkes is traditionally burned atop the bonfire night pyre. Thanks to Carol Jurd for making both of the Guys you see here. |
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Our 2000 effigy of Guy Fawkes. Burning Guy Fawkes in effigy has been happening yearly in England and elsewhere for almost 400 years. |
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A traditional bonfire night bonfire. In England they are needed to keep spectators warm while they watch the firework display. With the warmer temperatures we have here in November, the bonfire is more for tradition than warmth. |
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Our 2001 bonfire was a nice one. I would like to thank all the people who came and all the people who helped make the 2001 gathering one of our very best. |
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Some of the many party guests enjoying visiting and catching up on "things British". |
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Enjoying the bonfire after the fireworks. The party is a family outing here like it is in Britain. |
Want to learn more about Guy Fawkes and Guy Fawkes celebrations? Click on the links below.
Guy Fawkes, The Gunpowder Plot, and Bonfire Night
The Center for Fawkesian Pursuits
Gerry Glenister's Bonfire Sites Hastings, England
Web sites for some bonfire nights in England:
Lewes, England Bonfire Night Always held on November 5th.
Rye, England The 2002 Bonfire Night will be held on Saturday, November 9th.
