Welcome

Welcome, and thank you for visiting the official website of The Legendary Ripley Bonfire.

The Ripley Bonfire is one of the best supported bonfire events in the South East. Taking place on the last Saturday of October, it attracts up to 12,000 people. As well as the bonfire and spectacular firework display there is an extensive funfair, food stalls, a bar which has a perfect view of the bonfire and fireworks with live music.

On this website you will find all the information you need to know to ensure that you have a fun and safe time at the Ripley Bonfire.

From details of this year’s event to the history of the Ripley Bonfire Association, we hope that we have covered it all, but if you feel that something is missing from this website please email us with your thoughts via the ‘Contact Us’ page.

Be sure to visit our Fund Raising page. The Ripley Bonfire relies on donations from the public and without your support we would not be able to continue with the event. All proceeds go towards the Ripley Over 60s Club and other local organisations.

If you enjoy the Ripley Bonfire maybe you would like to help with running the event? If so, details on how you can help can be found on the ‘Get Involved’ page.

Finally, don’t forget to visit the ‘Bonfire Build’ page where you can find out dates of this year’s build and also follow a step by step guide on how to build a bonfire.

Once again, thank you for visiting our website and we hope to see you at the next Legendary Ripley Bonfire!

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Nowadays the bonfire itself is built in what is known locally as Pond Dip, however, this was not always the case. Until the middle of the last century Pond Dip used to be a pond and the bonfire was built between the pond and the entrance to the green, a pipe was then laid right across the green causing the pond to dry up. I am sure that there were many disappointed people and ducks at the time, however, the good news for us is that this created an excellent amphitheatre within which we now build the bonfire so that the crowd has a great view.

The old Pond Dip
Since the 1950s the pond has dried up