A night of bonfires

By: Reinna Soto

Guy Fawkes Night—the only holiday I know that started out as a day in which some gets openly mocked. This holiday started out as a celebration that Guy Fawkes failed in trying to blow up Parliament and as celebration that King James I survived the attempt on his life. It has now moved on as celebration with fireworks and a bonfire. The firework show and bonfire at the Ealing Cricket Club was a performance because the fireworks captured everyone’s attention and had a great soundtrack to it, in which everyone song along with the songs. The bonfire was the main attraction and everyone stood around to look at the effigy as it burned.  

            I went to this event with a group of people, and as we walked to the cricket club, people had their own fireworks celebrations as the sky lit up with these different fireworks. This added to the feeling to the place since it was converted into a fun fair somewhat since they were booths selling food, drinks, and accessories that lit up (like light sabers and bunny ears. I totally brought the later).  There was even a bounce castle for the kids. This set a stage for a family friendly event that was entertaining for everyone.

            By the time the fireworks went off, everyone was standing and waiting for them. There was a soundtrack to the firework display. The performance part of this was that everyone was singing along with the songs. The songs that were played were ones that everyone knows like Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” This made the fireworks more interesting since as everyone is looking up at the beautiful firework display, they are singing to songs that are well known and popular.

            The burning of the Guy Fawkes effigy was also a performance. Firstly, someone had to spend the time make it. However, it is that people are still interested in watching this thing burn. At Ealing Cricket Club bonfire, the music for the firework show was still playing in the background. Also, it’s a tradition that has taken a life on its own in that it moved beyond mocking Guy Fawkes. It brings people together in celebration.

            It’s odd to think of fireworks as a performance, but they were able to capture people’s attention and amaze them. I thought that the fireworks were well done and I also like the music that was playing with the display (they played Queen at some point during the show).  Everyone was taking pictures of the bonfire as well, and it seemed more of a celebration that brings people together.