Robbie Burns Night in Delta is going virtual – and everyone in Delta is invited to join in the celebration.
For the past 46 years, the Delta Police Pipe band has hosted a Robert Burns Supper, celebrating the national poet of Scotland. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, instead of an in-person event, the City of Delta and the Delta Police Pipe Band will be hosting the annual Burns Supper virtually via the City of Delta’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
“This year marks a very special Robert Burns Supper at the City of Delta,” said Mayor George Harvie in a news release. “Not only will it be our first ever virtual Burns Night, but this is also the 50th anniversary of the Delta Police Pipe Band who play an integral role in the festivities. As we all adapt to the pandemic to carry on our treasured traditions, I am pleased that we can continue to celebrate Robert Burns in a safe way this year. Please join me for what promises to be a fun and special night.”
Tune in to watch the traditional Haggis piped from the store to kitchen for the Address to a Haggis (cooking your own at home is optional). There will be musical performances by band members and toasts and readings of the well-loved poems of the Immortal Bard.
Pipe Maj. Steve Ramsden and Drum Maj. Moe Coll said the band wanted to continue to bring cheer to the community and supporters during these challenging times.
“For that purpose, we have created our ‘Robbie Burns Performance from Home’ with band music arrangements by Pipe Cpl. Jonesy Wu along with some older tracks for the full band experience, and some help from our friends from the musical group The Earthmen who perform annually at our two Burns dinners,” said the Pipe Band in a news release. “Consistent with the pandemic lockdown restrictions, band members each recorded their pieces separately in their homes, and then combined together to produce the resulting audio track and video presentation. This will be available on music streaming services and the video clip will be launched on the Delta Police Pipe Band’s Facebook page, our website and social media channels (youTube - Delta Police Pipe Band Virtual Burns). It will also be available for viewing on the City of Delta’s website (Delta.ca – Events Calendar) and Delta Cable.”
Should the COVID-19 situation change the Delta Pipe Band is still planning to attend the Belfast Northern Ireland International Tattoo in early September, which would be a fitting celebration to salute its 50th Anniversary Year.
The Burns Night celebration video will stream for free on Monday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., at Facebook.com/CityofDeltaBC and YouTube.com/CityofDeltaBC.
