Those passing the Donora borough building Saturday might be confused to hear strains of "Auld Lang Syne." It's not a belated New Year's Eve party; it's a belated birthday party for Robert Burns, the Scottish poet believed to have written verses of the popular song.

Burns lived during the late 1700s and is credited with saving the Scottish language. Rebelling against an English movement to stamp out Scots' tongue, Burns published his poetry in Scottish dialect to popular appeal. Descendants around the world celebrate his life during a traditional Robert Burns Dinner commemorating his birthday Jan. 25. Donora has been holding Burns dinners in early February for 88 years, though a lack of funds derailed last year's efforts.

There is a sizable Scottish population in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties, although exact figures are not available.

The Donora Historical Society and Donora Scottish Heritage Committee plan to hold the dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday at the borough building on Meldon Avenue. Robert Rosborough, 1953 Donora High School graduate, will deliver the Immortal Memory, as the evening's keynote address is known.

A light-hearted celebration of everything Scottish, the Donora Robert Burns Dinner kicks off as bagpipers "pipe in the haggis," according to Charles Stacey, one of the event's organizers. Haggis, a traditional Scottish dish made from boiled sheep innards, is carried on a silver platter into the hall in a procession.

Not everyone partakes in the signature dish. "I always say that's why my mother left Scotland, so she wouldn't have to eat the haggis," said Mr. Stacey, a retired superintendent of Ringgold High School, who said he's never tasted it.

Everyone is welcome at the dinner regardless of heritage, said Mr. Stacey, who chooses not to mention his father's English bloodline while at the dinner. "It's hard to find a Scot anymore. We have Scots with Polish names and Italian names," he said.

After the haggis procession, the evening's festivities continue with dancing, including the Scottish sword dance, singing and more bagpipes.

The highlight is the Immortal Memory. "It's the principal address of the evening," Mr. Stacey said. Each year, guest speakers are invited to prepare an oral tribute to Robert Burns. Past speakers included Rick Sebak, of WQED Multimedia, and newly elected Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

Mr. Rosborough is a Donora native and former defensive end for the University of Pittsburgh who played in a Sugar Bowl and a Gator Bowl.

Mr. Rosborough's interests went beyond the gridiron. He credits Donora teachers with inspiring a love of reading, poetry and acting. While at Pitt, he won a poetry reading contest and was named Best Actor of the acting group, The Pitt Players.

Mr. Rosborough and his fellow 1953 classmates will sit at a table reserved for their class in memory of John Moon Clark, a Donora English teacher and assistant football coach who inspired Mr. Rosborough and his classmates.

University life suited Mr. Rosborough, who spent nearly 25 years in various positions with the athletic department and the office of alumni affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. He went on to hold similar positions at Bethany College and California University of Pennsylvania before retiring in 1998.

Mr. Rosborough discovered his roots last year. Since then, he's immersed himself in everything Scottish, taking courses at Pitt, studying the history of the language, even learning Burns' songs. It's prepared him well for his role Saturday night. He has titled his Immortal Memory "Robert Burns: King, Warrior, Magician, Lover."

Although Robert Burns lived only 37 years, he is revered as the national poet of Scotland.

Five of Mr. Rosborough's six children will attend Saturday's event. His grown children have Scottish names: Bruce, Bonnie, Bud, Heather and Holly, despite his not knowing his heritage at the time of their births.

"There's a strange irony to selecting those names," Mr. Rosborough said.

He and current wife, Mary Lou, adopted a daughter from Guatemala named Krista, who is 13.

"The evening always ends with the singing of 'Auld LangSyne,' " Mr. Stacey said. He said the song is second only to "Happy Birthday" in popularity here in America.

Tickets for the dinner are $25 and must be purchased in advance. Call Mr. Stacey at 724-379-8497.