The fifth annual Burns Night, held in memory of Scotland's poet laureate Robert Burns, will be presented by the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Historic Beale Manor, 200 S. Church St., Parkesburg.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m., when guests will be greeted by bagpiper Thompson McConnell, followed by a social time with music by fiddler Tom Knapp, founder of Lancaster's Fire in the Glen, an Irish music trio.

A traditional haggis ceremony, led by Donald Henderson Jr., will follow, ending with a toast of Scotch. A supper buffet will be served, which will include haggis, Angus beef, Scottish soup, salad and neeps and tatties, which are turnips and potatoes. For dessert there will be trifle, shortbread and cakes.

After supper, guests will be invited to honor the life of Robert "Rabbie" Burns with speeches, readings and toasts. Charlie Zahm will present "A Tribute to Robert Burns." Guests will be invited to gather around the piano to sing Burns songs to conclude the evening. Burns is best known for writing the words to "Auld Lang Syne," which has become associated with New Year's Eve.

Visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of the evening by wearing their tartans, but it is not required.

Beale Manor was chosen as the venue because of its historic charm. It is a Victorian-style mansion that was built in 1813 by John Parke, founder of Parkesburg. It was reconstructed in 1896 by ironmaster Horace Beale. "It is the perfect place for this event," said Donna McCool, foundation treasurer. "It has parqueted floors and fireplaces, high ceilings and nice woodwork."

The annual Burns Night is a fundraising event to help maintain and preserve historic Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church. Located at 1188 Valley Road, Quarryville, the church was originally constructed in 1752 and is considered the oldest Covenanter church in America. The historic building is open for special events, including the foundation's annual Scottish Festival in September. The Covenanter Church is also open the third Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m.

The church has an attached schoolroom, a Presbyterian Academy, which was added to the church about 1880. From 1901 to 1927, the schoolroom housed Bart Township High School. The building now serves as a museum displaying artifacts from the church, Bart Township High School and Bart Township. "There is a lot of local genealogy and a lot of Scottish (memorabilia) and a lot of school history like desks and a chalkboard and pictures and books," said McCool.

Tickets are available for Burns Night. The fee for this fundraiser will include food; the beverages, including Scotch, beer and wine; and the entertainment. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held at a later date.

For more information and a link to purchase tickets, visit http://www.facebook.com/CovenanterChurch and choose Events or visit http://www.eventbrite.com and search for "Burns Night at Historic Beale Manor 2023." Information is also available by contacting McCool at 610-593-6989. The deadline to order tickets is Monday, Jan. 30. Tickets will not be sold at the door.