There was dancing, there was singing, there were bagpipes and of course there was haggis at the annual Robbie Burns supper in Penticton on Jan. 25. 

The dinner celebrated the great Scottish poet in a tradition that crosses oceans. 

Around 200 people came to the Lakeside Resort to partake in the festivities and support the Penticton Scottish Festival's annual fundraiser. 

This year's Address to the Haggis was delivered by Iain Hyslop. 

MP Richard Cannings delivered the evening's Immortal Memory; the speech at the traditional Robbie Burns supper that speaks to the poet's impact and his history.

In particular, he spoke to Burns' farming background and working class life, and how his songs and poetry spoke to ideals that were translated and used as rallying cries across Europe. 

Livening up the evening Both before and after the dinner was plenty of entertainment. 

The Vale United Pipe Band played multiple rounds of song in between performances by the Castilla School of Irish Dance and the Emily McDonald School of Highland Dance. 

After the dinner, the Naramata Scottish Country Dancers got onto the dance floor and pulled a number of members of the audience with them. 

The 50/50 also sold out, and the winner donated $100 of the $500 she won back to the Scottish Festival. 

The festival takes place at Kings Park in Penticton over July 4 and 5 in 2025.

Tickets for the festival are available online at pentictonscottishfestival.ca at a discounted rate before June 30. Adult tickets are currently $17; Senior $13; Youth (13-18 years) $13; Children (6-12 years) $5 and kids ffive and under are free.