Celebrate Robert Burns and his contribution to Scottish culture with singing, piping and food

Do you have a hankering for haggis?

Have you been itchin’ to get jiggy with some bagpipes now, rather than wait until St. Patty’s?

Down with Scottish poetry?

Best get your tickets to the 117th annual Robert Burns Night at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise.

It’s an evening dedicated to Robert Burns, the Scottish poet and lyricist who wrote “Auld Lang Syne,” among many other poems and songs.

Entertainment includes his poetry, of course, Scottish Highland dancing, and music by the Boise Highlanders and the City of Trees Pipes and Drums.

A ham dinner will be served with garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls and salad, along with haggis and shortbread.

Wash it down with water, coffee and tea, or maybe something a bit stronger. A no-host scotch whiskey bar will be available.

Tickets, which include dinner, are $35 general and $12 for children 4-11. Deadline to purchase is Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Proceeds are distributed between the Boise Scottish Caledonian Society, which donates most of its funds to local charities, and the bagpipe bands (used for scholarships and/or new equipment).

Call John McDade at 208-283-2563, Carol Standley at 208-888-5710 or Joyce Lopez at 208-362-3144 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Tickets are also available at Need to Bead (1100 N. Orchard St.) or online at boisehighlanders.com.

This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 11:57 AM.