LAC LA BICHE - Although his actual birthday has passed — a week and 262 years ago — area residents can still look forward to the possibility of a Robert Burns celebration in the near future.
The famous Scottish poet and lyricist, born on Jan. 25, 1759, is commemorated for his work and the impact he has had on literature by people all over the globe. Every years on or around his birthday, Robbie Burns Day celebrations are held in communities around the world.
This year's Robbie Burns night in Lac La Biche County may be a belated birthday party for the Scottish writer and poet. By British LibraryThis year COVID-19 has made it more challenging for people to gather, but Molly Fyten, who organized last year's Robbie Burns dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion for the Lakeland area, says that she is hoping to host another event — more of a belated birthday party — once COVID-19 restrictions loosen.
“We are thinking of still planning one for early April of this year. We are going to monitor the restrictions and see how it goes,” said Fyten, adding that she’s ready to put on the tartan, order the haggis, send out the invites, and pick up the bagpipes as soon as the pandemic measures allow it. “I’ve got the full plan already put together, it’s going to be quite similar to last year, and we are pretty much all ready to go.”
Wait a wee minute — did we say the bonnie lass will pick up the bagpipes? Aye, we did.
Fyten has been playing the instrument for the last few years, taught by Fort McMurray’s Angus Campbell, a renowned bagpipe player and Scottish historian. Fyten officially piped in the haggis — a time-honoured tradition to showcase the night’s main course of a sheep’s heart, liver and kidneys cooked inside the animal’s stomach lining — to last year’s $40 a plate supper.
The delicacy (which tastes much better than it sounds) is customarily washed down by glasses of whisky.
Fyten said last year’s first-time event was not only a fun night to honour a classic hero of Scottish folklore and to get adventurous with food, it was also a unique fundraiser for the local Royal Canadian Legion.
“I think it’s a really nice way to fundraise money for the Legion, and it helps to promote people to enjoy their local Legion as well,” said Fyten. “I think it’s a good chance to get people involved and see what it’s all about if they haven’t been there.”
The tentative date for the belated event this year is April 17— if everything goes to plan and COVID-19 restrictions allow.
Fyten, who does have some Scottish in her genes, believes the dinner and celebration is another local event that shines a light on the diverse culture of the community, and the creativity of its resident.
“I just really want to see something unique and cultural to Lac La Biche, especially if it’s something that we can continue each year,” said Fyten. “We do have multicultural events in Lac La Biche, and I think this one is quite unique and rare.”
For pictures from last year’s event and and idea of what to expect if the plans go ahead in April, got to the link in the digital version of this story at www.lakelandtoday.ca
*With files from Rob McKinley
