Maz

Morning all.

I organise the Chicago Expat Brits meetup.com group, and have been asked by a member if we can organise a Guy Fawkes' Night event. I know that in my city at least, we can't even have a fire pit without official permission. Anyone else had any luck (or even thought about) organising such a 'do'?

It's the perfect year to do it - it's on a Saturday and it's the 400th anniversary!

gruffbrown

Umm fireworks could be a problem as they're illegal in Illinois, unless it's done by a licensed company, couldn't you move it to Wisconsin?
Or else buy lots of sparklers

Maz

Yeah I know about the fireworks bit, I think we're all resigned to that. But it would be lovely to get some Brits together around a proper bonfire and have some nice baked spuds and a tipple or two.

Englishmum

There's a pub in New Jersey (on the Pennsylvania border) managed by some Brits.

They're having a bonfire night celebration - but what a bummer, it's on a Thursday night.....

http://www.shipinn.com/guy_fawkes.htm

gruffbrown

Thats not far! I like the no kids and not PC part

woodsey

we have a couple of English pubs in the LA area that have bonfires each year, why don't you try calling some of the English pubs in your area to find out if they have ever had them or been refused..

Maz

What a bummer, I'm next to Chicago! LOL But that sounds like a great night. Totally unfathomable why they would have it on the Thursday before the actual day, though, that makes no sense. I mean, the day itself falls on a Saturday this year, perfect timing!

Wintersong

You've given me a mission! I'm going to look into it and see if I can organise anything here.

paddingtongreen

They probably have a regular bunch on Fridays and Saturdays.

It looks good and is not too far to go, but the same distance will be a long way home. Google maps says an hour and forty+.

Maz

Cool! Let us know if you get anything together!

istoleabloke

Can anyone help a gal out?

I would love to surprise my husband and son with a Guy Fawkes celebration, but need some advice on how to celebrate. Can you give me some ideas?

I have read about it, but what about food and drink to include and other things an American wouldn't think about (never having been to one)? Anywhere I can gather some specifics?

I have discussed it with my sister, who lives in the sticks, so we could have quite a good bash there. I don't want to ask hubby or son because I would like it to be a surprise. His daughter is going to be visiting around that time from England, too, so it would be even greater to plan something this year.

Any help would be SO appreciated!

snowbunny

First you need a dummy to burn on the bonfire.

But before you read too much into it -- I'm sure Google'd turn up loads on the subject, from the traditional to putting George Bush's likeness on the pyre.

Wintersong

Things you can make at home which are traditional bonfire night treats:

Treacle toffee - http://www.cookitsimply.com/dessert/...10-0539x3.html

Parkin (ginger cake - totally gorgeous!) - http://www.ivillage.co.uk/food/tools/recipefinder/display_recipe/0,,5857,00.html??

Toffee Apples:
INGREDIENTS
6 sweet and crunchy apples
6 tbsp caster sugar
85ml water
600g demerara sugar
100g unsalted butter
2 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla essencePreparation
Wash and dry the apples, remove the stalks, and push in a lollipop stick.
Place all the ingredients in a heavy-based pan and bring to the boil. Cooking time is approximately 30 minutes. If you have a sugar thermometer it should read 150C or 300F, or you can test by dripping into a bowl of cold water. The toffee is ready when drops harden.
Dip each apple into the toffee, remove and air-cool a few seconds then repeat until thickly coated.
Dip into a bowl of cold water and place on sugar-dusted tray until cool.



You can also be creative and make things like mini catherine wheel pizzas (just decorate a pizza base with all different coloured toppings in the shape of a pinwheel), Guy Fawkes baked potatoes (carve a raw potato with a face and then bake it. When they're done you could maybe wrap them in a bit of black cloth to look like a cape, or put them on a tray decorated to look like a bonfire.)

A traditional drink is mulled wine, but that kinda depends on where you live and how cold it's likely to be!

The traditional bonfire night is pretty much a fire in the back garden (suitably safe of course) with everyone standing around, eating hot food and burning their fingers on sparklers. You have to have a scarf, gloves and preferably a woolly hat and you have to be able to see your breath in the cold air. At some point during the evening, you set fire to about 100 quid's worth of bangers and upset all the neighbourhood animals.

Wintersong

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, was my 3,000th post!

I really need to get a life now. Anybody got one going spare?

Winterwords

istoleabloke, for food make sure you make some mulled wine punch (with clovers in & other spices) & toffee apples are a must. Baked pots are good, and soup.

I found these sites that may prove useful:

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/food/party...181914,00.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/news_and_e...irenight.shtml
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/print/0,9688,181914,00.html

Good luck