The snow is falling as I stand on the side of the main
street of Allendale village with other thousands of enthusiastic people from
kids to elderlies, waiting for the festival to start. I spot one man dressed as
Ali G in a stereotypical “gangsta” getup with blings and yellow hoodie jacket.
Not far from him, a weird guy dressed in even more questionable fashion; a
sombrero hat and an Eeyore costume. I am wondering whether it is some sort of
British version of the Mardi Gras but it is not - it is the Tar Barrel festival
that is held every year right on New Year's Eves.
Soon the festival starts when the Guiser marches down to the
town hall in quaint costumes and hats carrying the flaming whiskey barrels
filled with burning hot tar, weighing about 15kg on their heads. The flames
from the barrels flickered up to the dark night skies giving an enormous sight
that fascinated me. Guiser, the superstar of this festival are those of the
honoured men whom have held their rights to carry the barrels for more than
half century, a time-honored tradition that have been passed from generation to
generation. I take quick snaps as they passed by, I can feel the flame sparked
on my jacket and leave burnt holes.
Swiftly, the march ends. The Guiser circle around the 14
feet bonfire made of pile of fir branches, stop and shout along with everyone
“Be damned to He Who Throws Last!” and toss their tar barrels at the foot of
the pile. For seconds the fires blaze high in shower of sparks. At the last
moment, the big clock at the town centre hits midnight, the crowd cheers, holds
hands, and starts to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’. I never remember the full verse of
the song, never was. It is the thought that matter, really and everyone else
does not seem to mind. The song fades away, the crowd greets each other caught
in the spirit of New Year. “Happy New Year!”, a happy New Year indeed. Bit by
bit, the fire stamped out. Farewell to the old year and welcome amazing New
Year!
