The Haggis Child

The Feast of the Haggis is Chicago's longest-running, black-tie charity event and ran for 174 years with only the Great Fire, world wars and the Great Depression stopping it's progress. In 2020 Covid did it's best but the Chicago Scots are made of stern stuff and technology allowed a virtual version of the event to take place. The motto that has sustained the Society since 1845 to "Relieve the Distressed" continues to hold true and fundraising will help renovate Caledonia Senior Living’s historic building The Scottish Home, which houses sheltered care apartments, intermediate care and skilled nursing.

To paint the picture imagine you are seated at one of hundreds of tables set for dinner to celebrate the life and works of Rabbie Burns. After the haggis is piped in, and you have enjoyed your neeps and tatties, in Chicago four burly gentlemen carry a platform on their shoulders with what can only be described as a giant tartan tea cosy sitting on top. Or another source recounted a giant silver platter on a trolley...perhaps that year they ran out of muscles! Listen to our interview with Scottish singer Jamie MacDougall for the full story. In the centre of the room the tea cosy opens up to reveal a small child, the Haggis Child. Chosen by the host committee to honour and recognise their (or their family's) contribution to the community, the tradition was probably originally based on the philanthropy and aims of the Society to bring together Scots to support each other and help those in need. Bringing a young child and therefore their parents to the celebration brought different generations together, passing the tradition down through the ages and engaging families.

In the 155th Anniversary Dinner programme a friend unearthed from her parents here in the UK, Alexa Cannella is the Haggis Child. Alexa's grandparents were born in Aberdeen in Scotland and it is clear that all members of the family have made a huge contribution to the St Andrews Society. The daughter of a champion Highland Dancer trained by Nancy Strolle, a past president of the Society, Alexa is following in her mother's footsteps taking Highland dance lessons as well as apparently enjoying gymnastics, watching Barney movies and eating chocolate chip ice cream. We would love to hear from you Alexa if you can remember your time as the Haggis Child! Rachel Sims was the Heather Queen and again her family were an intrinsic part of the Scottish community, and Highland dancing and piping consortium. Rachel's dad not only helped to start the Chicago Caledonian Pipes and Drums, and played with the Stock Yard Kilty Band for 30 years but most importantly he participated in the haggis-eating competitions held as a "Feast of the Haggis" promotion.

Our great friend and President of the Chicago Scots, Gus Noble, has mixed feelings about the Haggis Child as frequently the poor child was a bit traumatised to sit in the dark and then be revealed and have hundreds of eyes upon them. However Gus can remember one occasion when 2 brothers had the honour and they thought it was great fun hiding in the dark (perhaps they took their torches?) and came out beaming as the centre of attention. So while this weird and wonderful tradition may morph into a slightly less daunting format however there is no doubt it will continue and the Feast of the Haggis will return in 2021 bigger and better than ever. "Whether Scottish by birth, heritage, or simply inclination, all are welcome to celebrate the culture, food and music of Scotland.