East Bay Man to Play Auld Lang Syne on Bagpipes in 18 Alameda Bars for New Year's Eve to Raise Money for Cancer Society

The sounds of Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes will be heard in 18 Alameda bars on New Years eve, thanks to the ambitious fundraising efforts of an East Bay man.

Andy MacKay, whose father was recently diagnosed with cancer, is asking the community to come out the bars and cheer him on.

MacKay told Alameda Patch, “Trying to raise funds for American Cancer Society, have a bit of a laugh, and add a touch of Scottish tradition to Alameda’s New Year events! I’d like to get people out into the bars early NYE to cheer us on - we’ll be in each bar for around 3-5 minutes max probably.”

MacKay will be stopping by 18 bars throughout the night.

Additional details and donation information:

The Countdown has begun!

Please support my Pipe-athon around Alameda on New Year’s Eve - basically playing Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes in every bar in Alameda, California, for charity, accompanied by Jake and Elwood Blues (for some reason!). The Pipe-athon will start at 6pm on December 31st on Park Street (at McGee’s, thanks Tim!), and we’ll go speedily from bar to bar, ending up at the 1400 Bar and Restaurant at Webster & Central (thanks Mike and Yanni!), in the West End of Alameda. Should be finishing around 7pm ish, depending on traffic, weather, and other unforeseeable circumstances...

We’d also like to have people come out and cheer us on on our marathon mission, so please come to one of Alameda’s bars early that evening and support the bar and us! There’s 18 bars in total.

Here’s the possible route:

• McGee’s (Park St)
• Speisekammer
• Churchward
• Lemon Tree
• American Oak
• Lost Weekend
• Capone’s
• Hobnob
• Lucky 13
• Fire Den
• Club House
• Z’s
• Swell
• Forbidden Island
• Wally’s Cocktail Corner!
• Fireside
• Shamrock
• 1400 (Central & Webster)

All proceeds are going to American Cancer Society. We all unfortunately know friends or family who are suffering or have suffered from cancer, and my Dad has recently been diagnosed with it, so I think it’s a good cause to support. Please donate what you can using the Donate button on this page. Anything helps the cause!

Many thanks - and hope to see you on the night! Special thanks to Team Pipe-athon: Joe “Jake” Donohoe, Jamie “Elwood” Eckmier, Ken “Andretti” Johnson (The Driver) and Rod “Tarantino” Ortiz (Camera 1) P.S. Why Hogmabay? Hogmanay is Scottish New Year - the Best Night of the Year! Hogmabay is the best New Year in the Bay Area! Be part of it!