Another sold-out crowd celebrates Robbie Burns Supper in Kincardine

It was another sold-out crowd as about 125 people gathered at the Kincardine Legion, Saturday night, to celebrate the 28th annual Robbie Burns Supper.

Hosted by the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, the event featured delicious food and great entertainment.

Piper Brenda Colquhoun opened the evening by playing the Piper's Welcome, and band president John McManus welcomed everyone to the supper.

Jeff Hall piped in the haggis, carried by Cooper Moffat, and Scott Duncan gave the Address to the Haggis. Cathy Milne read the Selkirk Grace and the crowd enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner, complete with haggis.

Following the meal, Ron Duncan offered the Immortal Memory of Robbie Burns.

He said there may be seven degrees of separation, but we are all related to the beloved bard who wrote many poems to the lassies.

“He wrote about them lovingly, sadly, and with a sharp tongue,” said Duncan.

Burns died in 1796, at the age of 37, said Duncan. Five years later, nine friends and acquaintances gathered to honour his memory, and the annual Robbie Burns Supper began.

In 1848, 52 years after Burns died, William Withers and Allan Cameron founded Penetangore which later became the Village of Kincardine, said Duncan.

In 1909, in a barbershop at 786 Queen Street, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band was founded by William R. Young. And in 1948, the Kincardine Scottish began the Saturday Night Parades through downtown Kincardine.

“Tonight we are celebrating the 28th annual Robbie Burns Supper,” said Duncan. “The event began here in 1996, the 200th anniversary of Burns’ death. It’s an evening to enjoy good food, good friends and great piping!”

Andy Wasylycia and his wife, Deb Deckert, offered the Toast to the Lassies, and the Reply from the Lassies.

He began by remarking on the good old days when the lassies listened to their men.

“But seriously,” he said, with a laugh, “I’m honoured to be here to celebrate Robbie Burns who sired a lot of children, even some with his wife! I suggested to my wife that I should do some research but perhaps not too much!”

He said lassies speak a different language, at different times, and they have faulty body thermostats. And when they ask you to fix something, when you have time, they actually mean fix it now.

“Lassies have come a long way,” joked Wasylycia. “They can vote, hold public office and drink in the pub. So, join me laddies, as we raise a toast to the lassies!”

Deckert offered a scathing reply, noting that men’s brains are made up of boxes, with nothing touching, while women’s brains are like a giant ball of wire with everything connected.

“When you tell him something, and he’s concentrating on something else, it’s not that he’s hard of hearing, he’s hard of listening,” she said. “Men even have a special box, a ‘Nothing’ box. They can concentrate on nothing and still breathe, like fishing or flipping through the channels on the TV.”

Deckert said men even have a “sleep” box which is why they can go to sleep the minute their heads hit the pillows.

“Join me in a toast to the laddies,” she said, “because without them, we’d have ‘Nothing’ to talk about!”



The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band performs at the Robbie Burns Supper

The youth members of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band performed a couple of tunes, joined by pipe major Jennifer Farrell and instructor Joan MacIntosh. Then the Kincardine Scottish played two songs and urged the crowd to Name That Tune.

Highland dancer Maeve Craig performed, followed by Deb Deckert playing guitar and singing a couple of songs.

The drummers of the band performed a “Drum Salute,” followed by a second set by the Kincardine Scottish.

The evening ended with a Toonie Toss for those who wanted to take home some of the extra haggis.



The drummers of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band perform a colourful Drum Salute



Highland dancer Maeve Craig performs at the Robbie Burns Supper in Kincardine