The Manchester

This Friday, November 30, 2012, marks The Manchester Pub in downtown Windsor’s first annual St. Andrew’s Day party. Running with the slogan “Why Do The Irish Have All The Fun?”, the Manchester is hoping to take the community enthusiasm shown for Ireland’s national holiday (St. Patrick’s Day) and parlay that into an annual event to celebrate Scotland’s national holiday (St. Andrew’s Day) and highlight Scottish heritage and acknowledge the large Scottish presence in Windsor-Essex county’s community.

Doors open at 12 noon and will begin with the Robert Burns address of the haggis, as read by Kit McEvoy, over fresh, locally made haggis from The Butcher of Kingsville. At 1:00pm, local bag-piper Paul Stewart will commence with two outdoor performances on the patio and one indoors, while food specials like Scotch Eggs, Stadium-style Meat Pies, Haddock Fish N’ Chips, Scotch Broth (all homemade), as well as the haggis, will be served at introductory prices (full menu will still be available for the less adventurous). There will also be Tennent’s Lager on tap and Caledonian 80/- in tall boy cans for those interested in trying Scottish beer, and some draft will be served blue (as requested)!

At 4:00pm, local music group Shaggin’ Haggis will be performing three sets of music, including traditional Celtic drinking songs from Scotland (and Ireland) as well as East Coast Canadian favourites (Nova Scotia IS New Scotland!), followed by Chris Bollister at 10:00pm.

The Manchester will also be conducting a miniature version of the highland games behind the Pub, where people can try their skill on small versions of Highland Game classics like the Stone Throw, Weight For Distance, Weight For Height and the famous Caber Toss.