A celebration of a venerated Scottish tradition is coming to Carlyle this year, as Robbie Burns Night moves from Alameda to Carlyle. The 2017 event marking the Scottish poet's birthday will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 at Carlyle Memorial Hall and Jenn Sedor-one of the event's organizers- says: “We're adding our own twist to the evening this year. It will still follow the traditional Robbie Burns format- with pipes, toasts to lads and lassies and of course, the haggis. But after the supper and the Burns entertainment is over, we're opening it up to a dance, with Katie Miller providing the music.”
“It'll be a great night of entertainment.”
Sedor says that the upcoming Robbie Burns event is making the move to Carlyle “because we needed a bigger venue. People come back year after year... and we're looking forward to seeing some new faces there, too.”
2017 will be the fifth year for the annual Robbie Burns celebration in this area and is organized by members of the local Freemasons. The Scottish poet and lyricist lived from 1759 to 1796 and his legacy is celebrated every year throughout the world and every year on or near his birthdate- January 25.
Burns suppers follow a format which typically include pipers, dancers, toasts to lads and lassies and of course, the piping in of the haggis.
Piper and event organizer Regan Miller laughingly says: “If people look up the ingredients in haggis, they'd probably be disgusted. But this one is from an abbatoir near Brandon. There's a Scottish Society there and the Welsh couple who own the abbatoir have made us a haggis that's modified for modern tastes. It's their own recipe and it's not only palatable, it's pretty good.”
“It comes to us already cooked and basically, we just warm it up in the oven. Our haggis is 15 pounds and if we get 120 people- which is what we're hoping for- to come out, that's enough for about two ounces per person.”
Sedor says that her first taste of haggis was a pleasant surprise, adding: “It looks and tastes like crumbled-up sausage. And I'd like to add that there's no pressure for anyone to partake of haggis. Our main course is a roast beef supper prepared by Shelley and David Slykhuis and there will be plenty of toasts and some great entertainment, so it will be a delicious-and fun- meal, whether someone eats haggis or not.”
Sedor says the event's dress code won't be strictly upholding tradition, either. “The organizers have to dress up and if people want to dress up, we encourage them to do so. I always say if a guy has a kilt, this is the night to put it on,” she laughs. “But the idea is to celebrate and welcome the next generation to the celebration.”
“It is a family event,” she continues. “But there won't be kid-specific activities there and there will be a cash bar and some toasts, so I'd keep that-and your child's comfort level in mind if you're thinking of bringing them.”
“The first time I ever went to a Robbie Burns Night, it was in Alameda,” adds Sedor. “My husband Tim and I were the youngest people in the room, along with Natalie and Regan Miller. We had a great time and we really enjoyed it.”
“I laugh, because I thought I had a Scottish background, but when I went looking for my tartan, it wasn't there and I found out my heritage is actually English, not Scottish,” she says. “But the whole point of Robbie Burns is that everybody can celebrate the heritage of a lot of people from this area who do have Scottish roots.”
“And so many towns in this part of Saskatchewan are named after poets- Carlyle is named in honour of Thomas Carlyle, to name one. So it's an evening of entertainment and part of a lot of people's heritage.”
“We already have people from different communities in our area who have purchased tickets and often people, buy tables,” adds Sedor. “But whether you come on your own or as part of a group, you'll be joining a worlwide celebration right in this corner of the province.”
Tickets for Robbie Burns Night in Carlyle are $30 each and are available at The Pearl Boutique, Main Street, Carlyle.
