Burns Night ? What exactly IS that ?

**Bart_In_A_Kilt** · 25th January 09, 09:25 AM

Our local High School and the fundraising efforts to send a group of our kids to the Edinburg Fringe Festival are planning a "Burns Night".

But what exactly IS that ?

How would a typical event be hosted, what activities, and most importantly, can we have a succesful event WITHOUT alcohol.

( Since its really a High School function )

Many Thanks

**beloitpiper** · 25th January 09, 09:27 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_night

That gives a pretty good rundown.

**Panache** · 25th January 09, 09:31 AM

Bart,

Do a search here on XMTS.

There are numerous threads about the planning and execution of various Burns Night Suppers by X Markers all over the world (including pictures and video).

Cheers

Jamie

**Spartan** · 25th January 09, 05:42 PM

Here's a link: http://www.worldburnsclub.com/

You'll find info about Burns Suppers under "The Works of Burns."

**Cavebear58** · 25th January 09, 05:48 PM

What exactly IS the problem of alcohol and High School?

I admit I went to school in the UK but I never recall the two being mutually exclusive!

Cheers (mine's a double single malt), Graham.

**Standard** · 25th January 09, 06:13 PM

Since out Burns night is held at the local bookstore it is a "dry" event, so that shouldn't be a problem for you to plan around either. The links already posted should give some pretty good advice about hosting a Burns Supper. Be sure to get someone with a good speaking voice to read some of the poems of Burns. It helps if several of you would do a little research into the particular words being used by Burns since a lot of them are not normally heard here in the midwestern USA.

**bricelythgoe** · 29th January 09, 05:31 PM

I hope you can do one 'dry'. I do not drink as a matter of personal and religious reasons. I have been wondering this myself. Does anyone know, is drinking a major part of Celtic tradition?

**McMurdo** · 29th January 09, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by bricekolob

I hope you can do one 'dry'. I do not drink as a matter of personal and religious reasons. I have been wondering this myself. Does anyone know, is drinking a major part of Celtic tradition?

I do not drink, however I was lucky enough to do the Address to a Haggis this year at our Burns Supper. It was quite a bit of fun, I really think that Alcohol is not needed to enjoy the works and life of Burns.

As for planning a Burns Supper there are several online resources that will be able to help, and if you would like to see some successful Burns Nights take a look in the Show us your Pics Section. I know the NorCal Burns night and the SOKS Burns Night both had videos of the various speeches.