Rye Fawkes Bonfire Night 9th November

Pull on the thermals, grab a bag of roasted chestnuts and light the sparklers as you ooh and ahh at explosions decorating the night sky above these ancient cobbled streets of Rye.

On the 9th November these historic cobbled streets will be filled with a raucous parade, in a firework celebration unmatched across the country. Drum beats sound and flaming torches light the way, while various societies dress up, competing and, bringing up the rear, a Dragon, Scorcher and a Burning Boat. Winding it’s way through the town, the procession makes its way to the Salts where a ‘Normous Bonfire’ is waiting to be lit, followed by an excellent firework display.

Rye’s Bonfire celebrations could be older than Guy Fawkes himself.  Some say that celebrations with bonfires in Rye were first held to commemorate the young men of the town’s retaliatory raid against the French in 1378 when they returned to wreak revenge, burning and pillaging and snatching back the church bells which had been stolen in 1377.

Descriptions of the 1840 to 1889 Rye Fawkes Celebrations when burning boats were dragged around the town, seems a reenactment of the 1378 raid when Ships laden with burning barrels of tar were dragged around the streets.

So if you want to watch this amazing spectacle in this medieval town, remember, remember the 9th of November!

Want to make a weekend of the Rye Fawkes Night?

For more details on Rye Fawkes Bonfire Night visit the Rye & District Bonfire site here