By Paige Gurgainers
The Scottish Society of the Louisiana Highlands, famously known around these parts for their annual Scottish Tartan Festival, will be returning to downtown Minden in January.
Members are inviting the public, friends and family to join them on January 25 at the Minden Civic Center for their 30th Annual Burns Supper.
“This year’s event will be extra special as we return to Minden to celebrate, which is the location where our very first Burns Supper was held. We’re really excited to be back,” said event organizer and Scottish Society member Shelia Hoh.
This annual gathering is in honor and celebration of the life of Poet Laureate of Scotland, Robert Burns. Burns is considered the national poet of Scotland but also wrote in English. He preferred themes of love and nature. Some of his most famous work includes Auld Lang Syne, To a Mouse, Tam O’Shanter, A Red, Red Rose, the Selkirk Grace and Address to a Haggis.
The Address to a Haggis will be recited after the Haggis is “piped in.” This is a tradition marking the beginning of the formal ceremony where a piper plays bagpipes as the haggis is brought out.
Cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. and the haggis will be piped at 6 p.m. followed by music provided by Emerald Accent, traditional Scottish dishes catered by Geaux Fresh and of course, Scotch Whisky.
There will also be a silent auction presented throughout the night of the event.
This is a formal event open to the public. Cocktail to formal attire is requested. Tickets can be purchased at the following link:
For those traveling in for the Burn’s Supper, there are two local hotels that are offering discounts for accommodations. Holiday Inn Express has reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate. To reserve, please call 318-377-1111 and ask for the Scottish Society of the Louisiana Highlands discount for that date. Also, The Villas at Spanish Court is giving a 20% discount for those that book online using the code BURNS20.