A Foothills favourite traditional event is returning to Okotoks later this month.
The Rotary Club of Okotoks is holding its annual Robbie Burns Dinner and Dance, benefiting the Rowan House Emergency Shelter, on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. at the Foothills Centennial Centre.
“It’s totally Scottish,” said Rotarian and event co-ordinator Trish Henderson. “It’s a traditional honouring of Robbie Burns – historically it is the third-most celebrated non-religious day in the world.
“Because there is a lot of Scottish people in Okotoks, and we are just trying to benefit from that, our meal is a completely traditional Scottish dinner.”
That means haggis, which will be walked in with a piper procession and toasted with Burns’ poem Address to the Haggis.
“If you don’t like that haggis, you’ll like the other Haggis we’re offering: the band,” Henderson said.
The area-favourite ‘pub-adelic’ band Haggis brings its own mix of tunes and covers sure to get a jig going.
In a similar vein, the traditional Highland dancers will once again make an appearance, with plans to project their performance on the Centennial Centre’s large screens.
Tickets are $100 and go toward Rowan House, with the Rotary setting a goal of $50,000 for the night.
“Within Rotary, we have seven areas of focus; one of those areas is women and children, and so Rowan House is for women who are victims of domestic violence, and it is a safe haven for them to go to with their children, and we just feel that it is something that is, sadly, a need in our society,” Henderson said.
“And Rotary has chosen to take this on as a fundraiser, as Rowan House covers the Foothills; while they’re located in High River, it serves the whole Foothills.”
This year the event is opting for a 50/50 online raffle over the live auction, while looking to boost the amount of items up for grabs in the silent auction.
If all raffle tickets sell, the winner could nab a possible $10,000.
While the dress code is ‘Come as you are’, Henderson said it’s a great opportunity for guests to flash their tartan.
“Lots dress up, and if they don’t have a kilt on, they will have some little thing to wear that is Scottish,” she said. “Last year, I had gone to Scotland before this and I actually got a scarf and a Tam (hat) in the Henderson plaid.
“We have a couple people in our club that really get dressed up.”
The event has a maximum 300 tickets. For tickets and information, visit OkotoksRotary.ca.
