The Delta Police Pipe Band is laying claim to hosting the largest traditional Robbie Burns dinner celebration in the world this year.
A total of 880 guests (and 200 more on a waiting list) celebrated the bard's birthday last Friday and Saturday nights at the
Sacred Heart Church hall in Ladner.
An Internet check of Burns' celebrations around the world could not find any other organization that could match these attendance totals.
Led by pipe major John Ralston, newly appointed drum major J.P. DaSilva, deputy drum major Jim Wishlove and president Dave Trotter, the band, consisting of 30 pipers and 20 drummers, played three sets of tunes each evening.
One of the highlights was the singing of The Meeting of the Waters by the band's own singing and guitar group, The Deltones.
As usual, the band's own Regimental dancers brought down the house with the traditional sword dance.
Other acts included the Shannon highland dancers, master piper Alan Walters and the Angus Family singers, who sang some beautiful Scottish ballads. Mayor Lois Jackson was honoured with the Chief Constable George Angus Award, which is presented each year to a non-band member for his/her outstanding support to the band over the years.
The guests then danced the night away with the music of The Earthmen until the wee hours.
