Bagpipes and Kilts to bring New Year’s Cheer for Cancer Fundraiser

For the third year running, Alameda resident and Scottish ex-pat Andy MacKay will play Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes in every bar in Alameda, to celebrate the incoming New Year and raise money for a great cause, the American Cancer Society.

“New Year’s Eve is called ‘Hogmanay’ back home in Scotland,” MacKay says, “so we’re doing our own version in the Bay Area – HogmaBay, to bring some Scottish cheer to Alameda. It’s becoming an Alameda tradition.” The Pipe-athon raised over $3,800 for ACS last year.

MacKay will be accompanied on the whirlwind early NYE trip by ‘The Collectors’ aka Jake and Elwood Blues, and rumor has it that they and the Pipe-athon team will all be in kilts, adding to the spectacle!

MacKay’s performances during the Pipe-athon will raise money for a cause near and dear to his heart. “I lost my father, Bertie MacKay, to cancer last year in the UK – he was a great influence on me and played a big part in his local neighborhood, so I’d like to emulate that in Alameda.” He will be collecting money to support all who are affected by this disease.

The Pipe-athon starts at McGee’s on Park St at 6.30 p.m. before visiting Alameda Island Brewing Company, Speisekammer, Lemon Tree, Churchward, American Oak, Lost Weekend, Hobnob, Lucky 13, Club House, Z’s, The Swell Bar, Forbidden Island, Wally’s, Fireside, Shamrock and finishing at the 1400 on Webster St around 8pm.

MacKay is asking the community to come out to the bars early on NYE, cheer him on and help fight cancer with a donation. You can find more info, and also make a donation to ACS online at: www.hogmabay.org and on Twitter: @hogmabay