Preparations for Guy Fawkes Day and Bonfire Night celebrations
begin with the creation and construction of the effigies that
will be burned on the bonfire. In some parts of Great Britain,
children keep an old tradition by walking in the streets carrying
the "guy" and begging passersby for a "penny for the guy." The
equivalent of American trick or treating, the kids keep the money.
On the night of Guy Fawkes Day, people in every neighborhood, village,
and town get together to watch bonfires and fireworks, and, of course,
to burn Guy. The effigies are placed atop bonfires and then set alight,
fireworks displays often filling the sky in celebration. Often times,
spectators pass the time eating Potato Hash, Parkin, and Treacle while
they wile the hours away watching the blaze of lights.
Some of the English have been known to wonder whether Guy Fawkes is in
celebration of his excecution or in honour of his attempt to overthrow
the government. Nevertheless, Bonfire night today is celebrated
throughout Great Britain and as far away and Newfoundland and New
Zealand.