Okotoks will once again see the haggis piped in.
Returning to the Foothills Centennial Centre on Jan. 28 is the Robbie Burns Dinner & Dance, held by the Rotary Club of Okotoks as a fundraiser for Rowan House Emergency Shelter. Such events are a celebration of Scottish poet and event namesake Robbie Burns.
“It’s going to be a fun evening, people get to dress up in their Scottish attire and dance all night to help the community at the same time,” said Rotary member and event coordinator Trish Henderson.
“And they get to have haggis.”
Yes, there will be haggis.
“Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race," as described by Burns in his poem Address to a Haggis, is a savoury pudding or sausage where ground meats are minced with onion, oatmeal, suet and spices then packed into a sheep stomach and cooked.
In full Burns supper tradition, the haggis will be piped into the event as the “guest of honour” by a Royal Canadian Legion bagpiper, followed by the recitation of the Address to a Haggis in full Gaelic glory.
Alongside will be the traditional Burns side dishes, ‘neeps and tatties’ (turnips and potatoes) and a roast beef dinner by Hansel and Gretel Catering.
Culinary curiosities aside, entertainment will also include Haggis (the band) and youth Highland dancers from Ingalls School of Highland Dancing.
There might also be a dram or two on offer.
“I don’t personally drink scotch, but I know a lot of people do, so that’s a big draw for them,” Henderson said.
“As a club, we haven’t had an event for just adults for quite a while.”
A VIP scotch tasting experience will also be available at added cost.
All proceeds go to a good cause, to give a boost to the Rowan House Emergency Shelter and its community outreach programs.
“I’m hoping we can raise $50,000 for Rowan House; there’s been lots of stresses in everybody’s life and Rowan House is helping women and children, and they have a huge education program for the whole Foothills,” Henderson said.
“We actually had Rowan House come out to our meeting to talk about what they do and their programs and we thought this would be a great fundraiser, since there are so many Scottish people in our club, and in Okotoks.”
The event begins at 5 p.m. Jan. 28. Tickets are $100 each and can be found at okotoksrotary.ca.
