The Haggis Basher's Ball & Burns Supper
**The TARBAS committee is committed to creating and providing an environment where our event patrons feel comfortable, but also free to enjoy the festivities. We encourage guests to follow safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home. **
Evening Itinerary
A few welcoming words begin the evening and the meal
commences with the Address to the Haggis.
After the cocktail hour, guests are welcomed at the beginning of the evening by the
Master of Ceremony after the head table’s speakers are lead into
the ballroom by a piper.
Shortly thereafter, the company are asked to stand to receive the haggis.
A piper
then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the top table, while
the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The
chairman or
invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To
a Haggis
with great enthusiasm.
When he reaches the line "an
cut you up wi' ready slight",
he cuts
open the haggis.
It is customary for the company to applaud the speaker, then
stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky.
The company will then dine immediately after the Selkirk Grace.
A typical Bill o' Fare would
include:
Cock-A-Leekie Soup - FDA Approved Haggis warm reeking -
Rich Wi' Champit Tatties - Bashed Neeps - Typsy Laird (sherry
trifle) - A Tassie 'o Coffee
Also part of the evening is the Heads and Tails. Arctic
Controls, Inc., sponsors this event in which a hand-made kilt
from Scotland is given to the last standing "Heads and Tails"
winner.
The Immortal Memory is one of the central features of the
evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on
Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory
speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same
- to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.
Toast To The Lasses: The main speech is followed by a more
light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally
this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a
time to toast the "lasses" in Burns' life. the tone should be
witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a
conciliatory note.
Response: The turn of the lasses to detail men's foibles. Again,
should be humorous but not insulting.
Songs and Dancing: Once the speeches are complete, the
evening continues with songs and dancing to traditional
Scottish music.
The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking
hands, and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the program.
January 28, 2023
Haggis Basher's Ball and Burns Supper
January 28, 2023 will be the 22nd anniversary of the Anchorage Robert Burns Supper in honor of Scotland's greatest poet,
Robert Burns.
It is the TARBAS Committee’s number one priority that all attendees experience a safe, fun and entertaining evening at the Burns Supper on January 28 as we return to our celebrations after last year’s COVID hiatus. Under no circumstances should you or your guests attend if you are experiencing symptoms or if you have been exposed.
This gala event, which has become one of the
most popular evenings of the Anchorage social calendar, will
include a fabulous four-course meal, Highland Pipers, entertaining speeches, and dancing!
Your company may reserve a corporate table for ten at a cost of $2,000 per table. Tables are limited. Your
company name, or another name of your choosing, may be displayed at the table purchased.
Single seats are SOLD OUT.
Sponsorships are no longer available.
VENUE: Marriott Anchorage Downtown
DATE: January 28, 2023
Drinks will be served beginning at 6:00pm.
Festivities will begin at 6:55pm SHARP.
7:30pm:
- Address to the Haggis: Andrew Buchanan
- The Immortal Memory: John Springsteen
- Toast to the Lassies: Tom Redmond
- Reply from the Lassies: Deidre Coots
- Selkirk Grace: Christine Resler
- Master of Ceremonies: Treece Hanley
ATTIRE: Kilt, Black Tie, or Business Suit
For check-in purposes only, a list of names for each person to be seated at your table is required.
We encourage guests to follow all safety protocols. Those feeling symptomatic or who have been exposed must stay home.