Born the son of a poor market gardener on January 25, 1759, Robert Burns became the much-loved poet of the people who always enjoyed an evening of recitals with friends, said one of the organisers of Sunday's celebrations, Joan Cooke.
Although born in Queenstown, like so many members of the Queenstown Scottish Society, which is organising the "ceilidh", or evening, Mrs Cooke is very keen about her heritage.
Her parents were both born in Durness, in the far north of Scotland and she grew up eating oatcakes and porridge.
"I still make porridge every morning and my husband Alan makes very good shortbread."
The society has been going for 38 years and celebrated Robbie Burns' birthday each year, but this year the members were inviting the public to join them on Sunday for a sing-along to bagpipes played by Keith Cameron and for a taste of that Scottish delicacy, the haggis.
There will also be a talk on Burns.
Mrs Cooke said Burns was a gifted poet. "He might have gone, but his poetry lives on."
Admission is $5; starting at 7pm.
