On 10 September 2011, the last chapter in the restoration story of the statue of Robbie Burns, which has stood on the Fredericton Green since 1906, will finally be closed, when the refurbished statue will be re-unveiled in a special ceremony featuring a keynote address by the Hon. Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of NB. Starting off the ceremony will be a parade of pipers and drummers along Queen Street from City Hall to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. The parade will kick off at 2:30pm, and the official ceremony will begin at 3:00pm.
The organizing committee is chaired by Llewellyn Smith, President and CEO of the New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association, and contains representatives from the same four Scottish Societies which funded the casting and erection of the statue more than a century ago: the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew, the Highland Society of NB at Miramichi, the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, and the Caledonian Society of Restigouche.
This poignant ceremony, made possible by a dedicated push to have the statue returned to its former glory by New Brunswickers from across the province, and by the generosity of J.K. and Jean Irving (who will unveil the statue), will be followed by a formal dinner at 6:00pm celebrating the re-unveiling at the Fredericton Convention Centre.
The organizers are inviting the public to make plans to attend this very special dinner, which will feature a three-course meal, including haggis and all the trimmings. Participants will be treated to traditional Scottish entertainment, including Highland Dancing, a Gaelic Choir, “SONAS,” and performances by Pipe and Drum bands from across New Brunswick. A special keynote address will be offered by Rev. Ivan Gregan, a charming and humourous United Church clergyman with Miramichi roots. Other features will include the piping in of the haggis.
The weekend will be rounded off on Sunday morning at 11:00am with a special church service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 512 Charlotte Street.
This series of events will constitute the premiere Scottish cultural event of 2011 in New Brunswick. Supporters of the Celtic culture will be attending from all parts of the province to take part in this exciting celebration.
Tickets are available at outlets in Miramichi (Scotts Pharmasave and Dickison’s Pharmasave); Saint John (Pete’s Pub – Shoppes of City Hall); and Fredericton (Lunar Rogue). If you don’t live close to one of these cities, tickets may also be purchased by contacting the NBSCA at membership@nbscots.com.
BACKGROUND
The New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association (www.nbscots.com) was founded in 1980, and represents the provinces Scottish cultural communities and organizations, acting as both an information resource and promoter/defender of the Scots and their descendants who have contributed to New Brunswick’s economic, social, political, and cultural development. The Fredericton Society of St. Andrew, the Highland Society of NB at Miramichi, the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, and the Caledonian Society of Restigouche, all have rich histories of promoting the Scottish culture, as well as helping fellow New Brunswickers in need through, collectively, centuries worth of community projects and charitable works.
Barry R. MacKenzie
Media Contact: Barry R. MacKenzie
Communications
New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association
1-506-454-9589(h) or 1-506-238-1039(c)
Or
David Nickerson, President, Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John
506-8479343 or 506-647-9343
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