1st Pioneers: Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de Muertos, is a holiday which is traditionally celebrated over All Saints Day and All Souls Day, 1st & 2nd November. It originates in Mexico where it is mostly observed, but is also celebrated in other countries, especially by people of Mexican or Latino heritage. It is a celebration of life and death where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration (costumes, parades and dancing in the street). We thought this was a fitting theme to adopt as our 1st pioneers costume as it is the perfect time of year in conjunction with Bonfire season; a big part of our Sussex Bonfire culture is remembrance so this costume is a celebratory and colourful way to honour and remember our Heathfield Martyrs and those we commemorate each season; it is also a theme that no other society has as an official pioneer costume. We aim to make this our signature costume along with our HDBS smugglers.
Think Sugar Skulls, Marigolds, Fiestas, Mexican & Spanish senoritas, colourful skeletons, La Catrina, flamboyant smart dress… The bigger, brighter and bolder the better!
HDBS Smugglers:
The HDBS smugglers costume consists of the long-standing Heathfield colours of green, white and black striped knitted jumper, white trousers, black boots and a red spotted scarf with optional red hat or black bowler/top hat. (Officers or Captains of the Society have the option to additionally wear a red sash.)
HDBS wool colours are Stylecraft Special DK Kelly Green, White & Black.
Please make sure when knitting your jumper to keep your stripes to 2 inches thick (for adult jumpers). Collar and cuffs to be in black. (arm & body stripes to match up at seams).
Email heathfieldbonfire@gmail.com for a knitting pattern, to enquire about using one of our official HDBS jumper knitters or for any further information.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS: All procession clothing must be adequately fire-proofed. This is of the utmost importance and is the responsibility of every individual and of the Parent/Nominated Responsible Adult for any Junior Member.