My wife and I have hosted one formal Burns night, attended one, and I have been the moderator at an additional two. I have done the "Address to a Haggis" in Shakesperean style, cried during my "Toast to the Lassies", and had others get up to recite some of Burns' works during my version of the "Immortal Memory".
I celebrate Burns night to honor the man, his talent, his love of freedom, his ability to snub the upper classes without them realizing it, and finally, as a tribute to Scots heritage.
When Burns wrote in a thick dialect he did so on purpose, and a very unique form of language has survived today because of his efforts. He could also write in plain english, and did so based upon the audience that he was attempting to reach.
A perfect example of Burns showing his love of liberty, command of proper english, and smacking the face of those in power is his "Ode for General Washington's Birthday". To write such thoughts so soon after the American Revolution, and during the distressing (for royalty), time of the French Revolution, might have earned him some jail time.
Likewise, "Address to Haggis" made great fun of the wealthy patrons who were supporting him, and their dining habits. It is an homage to the common man, and is written in a heavy dialect.
"Scots Wha Hae" is another of those fiercly nationalistic and warlike poems that certainly was not welcomed by authority. Remember, when Burns wrote this poem the Highland Dress Proscription Act of 1746 had been repealed for less than ten years.
I live in a town of 6,000 souls in what is perhaps the oldest continually inhabited area of North America. The Taos Pueblo Indians are still living in their 700+ year old apartment houses. The Spanish settled this valley before the Pilgrims arrived, and the first people of Scots ancestry did not arrive until 1821. Despite that, we had over 60 people at our event on the 23rd, from every culture and socio economic group in the valley. To my knowledge it was the only Burns Night in New Mexico.
Everyone who came, came for their own personal reason. It may have been to wear their kilt, hear the Pipers, enjoy some good food, listen to some poetry, hobnob with a few people of social import, or they had heard how it was great fun last year. One reason is as good as any other. It does not matter WHY people come, just as long as they come. Also, its REALLY important to have fun at a Burns Night, after all, if you understand the man, you begin to appreciate his love of life.
I believe that it was John Stuart Blackie, Scottish scholar and patriot, who said, "When Scotland forgets Burns, then history will forget Scotland".