The pipes will be blowing and the haggis will be haggising at the Chemainus Legion on Saturday, Jan. 25 for the annual Robbie Burns Dinner.
Such dinners are held every year to commemorate the Scottish poet Robert Burns who was born on Jan. 25, 1759. Burns is most famous for writing the song Auld Lang Syne as well as the poems A Red, Red Rose, Tam O’Shanter and his humorous Address to a Haggis, an ode to the Scottish dish.
The celebration originated as a tribute to Burns’ life and literary legacy by a group of the poet’s friends. That gathering included a meal, poetry recitals and speeches, a format still followed in modern celebrations.
The dinner at the Chemainus Legion, 9775 Chemainus Rd., will begin with cocktails at 5 p.m. This will be followed by honours at 6 p.m. including toasts, recitation of poems and the piping in of the haggis by Joel Bailey on the bagpipes. At 6:15 p.m., a traditional meal of roast beef and haggis will be served, followed by entertainment.
Tickets are $30 and available at the Legion on Tuesdays, Fridays or Saturdays. Members can email the branch for reservations at rclbranch191@gmail.com. For more information call the office at 250-246-4532 or David at 250-667-6433.
Wishing everyone Sláinte Mhath!