LAC LA BICHE - Lads and lassies, Macks, Micks, Chucks, Skis, Bouchers, Fayads, Smiths ... whatever your family background, this Scottish event is for you.
The Robbie Burns Night is once again ready to take the stage in Lac La Biche, featuring an evening of Gaelic food, fun, laughs ... and a wee bit of history about the Scottish poet. The Robbie Burns Night will take over the Lac La BIche Legion on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Molly Fyten is organizing the event. The local woman has Scottish heritage ... and can play the bagpipes to prove it. She says the night is a chance for all guests to let the tartan fly.
"If you haven’t experienced one already, it’s well worth it. And you do not need to be Scottish to attend — in fact. we strongly encourage you to attend if you aren’t," she said. "This will be an exciting, uniquely cultural evening full of traditional Scottish food, drinks, bagpipes and Celtic performances with honorary guests, fun presentations, laughs and much more.
Dishes of authentic haggis will be on the night's menu for those looking to taste traditional Scottish fare. Understanding that the Wikipedia definition of haggis — sheep's heart and liver mixed with oats and suet and served in a boiled sheep's stomach lining — might not be for everyone, organizers have also included a full roast beef dinner option as well.
"If you haven’t tried haggis…here’s your chance — or not," Fyten said with a laugh. "There will be a full roast beef dinner and spread too, so don’t worry."
The Lac La Biche Robbie Burns celebration is one of hundreds that take place around the world to celebrate the life and legacy of Scotland's national poet.
Burns was born on Jan. 25, 1759 in south-west Scotland, and died in 1896. In those 37 years, he fathered 12 children and wrote some of the world's most notable and well-known poems and verses, including the New Year standard "Auld Lang Syne" and "Scots Wha Hae", a song that was, for a time, the national anthem of Scotland.
Burns is a folk-hero of sorts, says Fyten, who explains the night as a way to recognize the poet and the Scottish history. It also serves as a great excuse to share laughs with others on a chilly winter night, try traditional Scottish food, have a dram or two of some whisky, and raise a glass to life.
"We've had so much fun over the years we've been doing this, and because people have really enjoyed the whole experience, it's back by popular demand," said Fyten.
Tickets in demand
Tickets for the night of food and fun are $40 — and space is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the Legion in person or by calling (780) 623-4334. Tickets can also be purchased directly through Fyten via Facebook or by phone: (780) 404-7740. A free ticket and a reserved table are bonus offers for ticket purchases of six or more.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Lac La Biche Royal Canadian Legion McGrane Branch 28.
