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<\/p>\nBETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 With a lucky forecast in sight, bagpipes, fiddles and Celtic pride return to the Historic District this weekend. <\/p>\n
The Celtic Classic and U.S. National Highland Games will be held Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28\u2014 bringing hammer throwing, bagpipes, clans, shortbread, kilts and music. <\/p>\n
Now in its 38th year, the free event is organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance. <\/p>\n
Known as the largest free Celtic festival in North America, the Celtic Classic combines world-class music, athletic competition, and cultural showcases and draws more than 200,000 visitors each year. <\/p>\n
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Will Oliver<\/p>\n
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LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n
Celtic United Pipes & Drums makes their way onto Highland Field at Spring and Lehigh streets, kicking off the 2024 Celtic Classic Haggis Bowl.<\/p>\n
In contrast to past years \u2014 when rainy weather dampened attendance and forced some Highland Games events to be canceled \u2014 this year\u2019s forecast looks much brighter. <\/p>\n
According to AccuWeather.com and<\/a>Weather.com,<\/a>the festival weekend is expected to bring partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching the upper 70s. <\/p>\n In 2023, Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival took a significant hit in attendance and left the Cultural Alliance in a fragile financial state<\/a>. <\/p>\n At the time, festival organizers said they were not sure the alliance would have enough funds to put on this year\u2019s Classic.<\/p>\n A $75,000 state grant awarded in early 2024 provided the Celtic Cultural Alliance with the support needed to continue its programming. <\/p>\n Musical lineup<\/p>\n Nearly 20 entertainers during Celtic Classic will showcase the music and dance traditions of Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Scotland and Wales. <\/p>\n With offerings as diverse as high-energy Celtic rock, traditional bagpipers and more, performances will fill four stages throughout the festival.<\/p>\n Friday’s schedule begins at 4:30 p.m. with Blackwater, a Celtic folk group, at the Tavern in the Glen stage. <\/p>\n Also performing at Tavern: Rogue Diplomats at 6 p.m., O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 7:15 p.m. and Seamus Kennedy at 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n At the Ice House on Friday: O\u2019Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 5 p.m., Seamus Kennedy at 6:15 p.m. Gerry Timlin at 7:30 p.m. and No Irish Need Apply at 9 p.m.<\/a><\/p>\n Also, at the Celtic Cross Intersection, will be the Celtic United Pipe Band at 6:45 p.m. <\/p>\n Saturday’s lineup at the Grand Pavilion will be:<\/p>\n Dave North Trio at 12:30 p.m.; Cassie & Maggie at 2 p.m., Low Lily at 3:30 p.m., the Prodigals at 5 p.m., O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 6:30 p.m., Glengarry Boys at 7:30 p.m., and Kilmaine Saints at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n At Tavern in the Glen: Low Lily at 11:15 a.m., The Prodigals at 12:45 p.m., The John Byrne Band at 2:15 p.m., O’Grady Quilan Irish Dance at 3:45 p.m., No Irish Need Apply at 4:30 p.m., Cassie & Maggie at 6 p.m., Grady Quilan Dance at 7:30 p.m., and Seamus Kennedy at 8:30 p.m. <\/p>\n At the Ice House: 9 a.m. Youth fiddle competition, 1:30 p.m. No Irish Need Apply, 3 p.m., Glengarry Boys, 4:30 p.m., Gerry Timlin, 6 p.m. Runa, 7:15 p.m. O’Grady Quinlan Irish Dance at 7:15 p.m. and the John Byrne Band at 8:15 p.m. <\/p>\n For Sunday’s musical lineup, visit the festival’s performer page.<\/a><\/p>\n Parade of the Tartans<\/p>\n One of the weekend\u2019s most anticipated traditions, the Showing of the Tartan Parade, will step off from Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. <\/p>\n Walking in this year’s procession will be clans and societies, competing Grade 4 pipe bands, and high school bands, including the Liberty High School Grenadier Band, Freedom High School Patriot Band, and Bangor Area High School Slater Band.<\/p>\n Will Oliver<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n The 2024 Celtic Classic Haggis Bowl Top 3 make their way off the field post-competition. Kris Wagner took home the honors of Conqueror of the Haggis.<\/p>\n Irish eyes surely will be smiling at the contestants in this year’s Celtic-themed contests. <\/p>\n One of the wackier ones, the Haggis Bowl 2025, returns at 5:15 p.m. Friday at Highland Field.<\/p>\n Fifteen people will compete to see who can most quickly eat a pound of haggis \u2014 a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oatmeal, suet and spices, encased in the animal’s stomach and boiled.<\/p>\n No condiments, seasonings, or sauces are allowed; the haggis must be eaten as presented. <\/p>\n The winner walks away with bragging rights, $25 worth of Celtic Classic food and beverage tickets, and a 2025 Celtic Classic souvenir mug.<\/p>\n At 11 a.m., Saturday, the Scottish scone-baking contest will occur at Celtic Heritage Hollow. <\/p>\n Bakers will showcase their finest recipes, and entries will be judged on taste, appearance, creativity, and texture. <\/p>\n The top three winners will earn prizes from King Arthur Baking, with one younger scone-maker (under 18) receiving a special junior award. <\/p>\n Lastly, find out if the Celtic Classic found the next W.B. Yeats at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on the Heritage Stage, where this year’s winners of the Celtic Classic poetry contest recite their works onstage. <\/p>\n The contest, which was open to writers of all ages, judged writers on their ability to reflect the culture of the seven Celtic nations. <\/p>\n Where to eat, shop<\/p>\n Along with cheeseburgers, loaded poutine and grilled sausages and bacon on a stick, you can sample traditional fish and chips, haggis, bangers and mash on the festival grounds. <\/p>\n Food trucks pulling up this year include Celtic Pig, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Greek Street, Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse, DP’s Apple Dumpling, Aw Shucks! and Flying V.<\/p>\n Also, Heidi\u2019s Strudel, Karl Ehmers Sausages, Heaven On A Bun, Aqui Es \u2014 A Taste of Mexico, Bitty and Beau’s, Monster Baby Donutts and Merry Poppkin’s Kettle Corn. <\/p>\n Additionally, Celtic Classic will feature more than 30 vendors offering authentic Celtic goods, including jewelry, sweaters, kilts, hats and home d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n![\"Celtic](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/eedd70b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4032x2268+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Ff9%2F63%2F23778e1d43058ceea56968973193%2Fimg-9137-1.jpg\")
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