Bob

So who's burning shit and people this year then?

Anyone got fun stuff happening your way?

There's a couple of pubs in Boston putting something on, and one next week too, which I don't quite get.

A old mansion in RI used to have a big do, but don't know if they're doing anything this year.

We'll probably, if we can be arsed, set off some illegal sparklers in the garden.

scrubbedexpat097

Just about all of Texas has a burn ban on at the moment so nothing at all here this year

sir_eccles

Would help if most Americans actually knew the history of Guy Fawkes and didn't just prance around with V is for Vendetta masks.

Dewey

Ditto, plus a few logs in the barbie to toast marshmallows. Sorry if I'm being dense Bob but are sparklers illegal in Massachusetts? I thought you had roadside firework stands like around here that sell them in July.

robin1234

Every year I tell folks at work that I'll be getting out my pitchfork and going around town rousting out Catholics to burn at the stake. One girl here, she's a lapsed Catholic (abused by the priests when a child etc.) I tell her I'll exempt her, for good behaviour.

Poppy girl

Always like a good old bonfire but don't think anything is happening in my area!

Bob

Sparklers are illegal in MA...not sure about fireworks, I think those are okay if for private use, but really weedy small ones like cathrine wheels.

So everyone nips over to NH and tries to dodge the cops and buy the big massive buggers.

Juswus

and now the Occupy Wall Streeters are all wearing them. OI...piss off and get yer own rebel

zargof

The question I have is do we burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire because he tried to blow up Parliament, or because he failed?

sir_eccles

Strictly speaking, I believe he is burnt in effigy because he's Catholic and as a protestant nation we didn't want the Pope sticking his nose in things. So, take the effigy as a warning to other Catholics who get ideas above their station. The fact he tried and failed to blow up parliament is just an excuse.

Note, it was only last month that the ban on the monarch being married to a Catholic was lifted. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15492607

kimilseung

Looking at the blogerthings, there is a lot of explanation concerning Mr Fawkes, about these days that never existed previous years.

I had thought about going down to the local 'occupy' crowd, with my guy, and a sign, 'penny for the guy' I was thinking that many people would think I was collecting for the 'movement', it might be a bit of an earner.

I have friends and relatives round each Nov 5th, either fire in a pit in the park at the beach or in our back garden, depending on the weather. If its real nasty (which it always seems to be on 5/11) then its at our place, so peeps can get warm and dry; burn the guy and cook sausages. I was getting all stressed about it earlier, but I am looking forward to it now.

edit: Just realized I have used up all the newspaper getting fires going this week; not sure what I am going to stuff old man Fawkws with.

Lothianlad

I was in the City of York last week and saw the site of the bithplace of Guy Fawkes. What an incredibly interesting city is York, and so incredibly vibrant yet full of historic sites from the Roman period onwards. They called the city area of the time Eboracum...in AD70. The famous highwayman Dick Turpin was executed in York on 07 April 1739. Dame Judi Dench was born in York in 1934. York is famous for its chocolates. York has the most fabulous Railway Museum, and the shortest street in England with the strangest of names - Whip-ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, and much longer street close by called the Shambles. A shambles is most certainly was not - it was packed with gorgeous little shops and restaurants.

When I was at uni in Leeds we went over to York for a night out several times or to go round the historic sites including the huge Minster cathedral with its beautiful Rose window in the South transept. The city is very popular with younger people, too.

AmerLisa

We have friends in Georgia (husband is Brit, wife American) that have a huge party every year, complete with bonfire. His neighbors, friends, etc are always invited and they love it! We have thought about having one, one of these days we may get organized enough...

BellaE

Surely this time of year your mail person has begun to inundate you with catalogues and adverts? Unless you can't bear to burn the Victoria's Secret catalogues...

robin1234

Victoria's Secret?? How come all we get is Vermont Country Store, with sensible underwear????