Festival Information

2008 Dates

Celtic Classic will be occurring on September 26th, 27th and 28th of 2008. TOP

About Celtic Classic

The 21st annual Celtic Classic is presented by Celtic Cultural Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Celtic heritage through education, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance. The Celtic Classic is a celebration of Celtic culture and heritage. As a part of this celebration the following events and activities take place:

Six stages of continuous entertainment featuring international, national and regional artists.
The Celtic Classic Invitational Pipe Band Competition.
US National Highland Athletic Championships
The “Showing of the Tartan” Parade
The 12th Annual Celtic Classic Fiddle Competition
Celtic Quest
Border collie exhibitions
A diverse marketplace of Celtic crafts, merchandise and collectibles.
Celtic artisan demonstrations. TOP

Access/Special Needs

2008 Celtic Festival Poster Design The Celtic Classic grounds are wheelchair-accessible. However, due to the large size and natural terrain it can be difficult to navigate the grounds with a wheelchair. You must have a State issued placard to park in the limited street handicapped reserved parking spaces. Handicapped parking is available on Conestoga Street and Lehigh Street. Use of the shuttle service is highly recommended for handicapped patrons. All shuttle buses are handicapped accessible. Handicapped restroom locations: Monocacy Moor, Piping Grove, Grand Courtyard (near First Aid RV) and Main Street (across from Highland Field). TOP

Admission

The Celtic Classic is presented without an admission fee. Ticketed bleacher seating is available for viewing the activities on the Highland Fields if desired. Grandstand seating tickets can be purchased in advance here. TOP

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

For the banking convenience of our Festival patrons, ATM machines are located on-site in the Grand Marketplace and Moor Marketplace. See Festival Map for exact locations. TOP

Attendance

The Celtic Classic historically attracts over 260,000 visitors to downtown Historic Bethlehem. Bethlehem is located at the junction of Lehigh and Northampton counties, in the Lehigh Valley of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Residents of the Lehigh Valley comprise approximately forty percent (40%) of the patrons, while the remaining sixty percent (60%) are visitors from areas throughout the United States and abroad. TOP

Beverages

Can be purchased at: the Grand Courtyard, Highland Field, The Glen, and Monocacy Moor.
Available: Coca-Cola Products, Bottled Water, Coors Light, Killians Irish Red, Samuel Adams Lager, Hard Cider, O’Hara’s Stout, Wines, Coffee, and Hot Chocolate.
Payment: Food and Beverage Tickets. TOP

Clan History

Whether you are searching your family’s roots or maybe just want to find out if a great-great-great relative was a black sheep, the clan tents are the place to be during the Celtic Classic. Please view our Living History page to find out which clans will be represented at Celtic Classic. TOP

Contact Info

Questions for CCA?
Contact us via email here.
Or give us a call at: 610.868.9599 TOP

Ecumenical Church Service

Will occur on Sunday, September 28th, at 10AM in Bethlehem’s Historic Icehouse on Sand Island. TOP

First Aid and Emergency

First Aid Locations:
Grand Courtyard (under bridge arch)
Monocacy Moor

First Aid treatment available only. If additional treatment is necessary, an ambulance will transport you to the hospital and charges will be made by the appropriate hospital and ambulance service.
First Aid stations sponsored by St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem. TOP

Festival Rules and Regulations

No animals, with the exception of service animals, are permitted on the grounds.

No vehicles may park in unauthorized parking area. Visitors may be towed away at the owner's expense, without notice. Please use the parking facilities.

No vendors may set up their wares, except for those already contracted by Celtic Cultural Alliance.

No printed materials, including political material aimed at any person or party, may be distributed during the festival without prior approval by the Celtic Cultural Alliance Board of Directors.

All bicycles must be walked through the grounds. Skateboards and roller blades are not permitted.

Do not swim or wade in the creek, canal or river.

Portable tape players and/or radios are not permitted on the festival site.

Do not smoke in prohibited areas. No drugs or illegal activities will be tolerated at the festival.

Food and Beverage not purchased on festival grounds are absolutely prohibited. No coolers or picnic baskets are allowed.

Do not carry alcoholic beverages outside of the areas where these beverages are served. It is against state law to do so and you will be stopped.

Celtic Cultural Alliance follows regulations established by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Proper ID must be presented upon request. TOP

Food and Beverage Tickets

Celtic Classic 2008 Food and Beverage Tickets are needed for all food or beverage (including beer) purchases.

Tickets can be purchased at stands throughout the Festival grounds. Please view Festival map for specific ticket purchase locations. Payment: $1 per ticket. Cash, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Food and Beverage Tickets are non-refundable.TOP

Food and Crafts

Visit the Food and Crafts pageto find the Food Vendor or Craft Merchant you are looking for. TOP

Grandstand Seating

Grandstand seating tickets can be purchased in advance here. Or by calling toll-free 877-77CLICK. Please note: All phone orders are subject to a $2.00 service charge. They are also available for purchase at the entrance to the Grandstand seating area, adjacent to the Shuttle pick-up area.
Seating Times are:

Friday: 5PM to 10PM
Saturday: 8:30AM to 10PM
Sunday: 9:30AM to 6:30PM

Grandstand seating tickets are:

Friday-only: $7.00
Saturday or Sunday only: $15.00
Weekend Pass (Friday thru Sunday): $30.00

Payment: Cash or Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express accepted.TOP

Living History Area

Living History Programs are presented adjacent to the Ring of Celtic Heritage site. Please view Festival map for location. Link to Festival Map.

Visit our Living History page for full listing of exciting programs and demonstration times. TOP

Hotels and Camping

Visit our Hotel Information page for a full listing of sponsoring hotels and area camping grounds. Camping is not allowed on the Festival grounds. TOP

Lost and Found

Location: Office Trailer. (Check with closest Information Booth for location) TOP

Parade Route and Timeline

Parade Start Time: 11:30 AM; Saturday, September 27th
Route: From City Hall to the Highland Fields.
Exact Route:
Begins on New and Church Streets, Proceeds up New to Broad St. Left on Broad St. to Main St. Left on Main St. to Highland Fields.
Length of Parade: Approximately 1 Hour. TOP

Press

Please direct all media inquiries, including requests for interviews and Festival press credentials to:
Call 610.868.9599 or email us at info@celticcul turalalliance.org TOP

Souvenirs

Assorted apparel items, pint glasses, tote bags and more will be available at the Souvenir tent in the Grand Marketplace. Cash, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express will be accepted as payment. Purchases can also be made now through Donegal Square’s online store here. TOP

Transportation and Parking

Visit our Maps and Travel page for full transportation and parking information TOP

Volunteer Information

Hundreds of talented and dedicated individuals will play an active role in this year’s Festival. We will post the 2008 Volunteer application soon. Stay tuned!

For more information please visit our Volunteer page. TOP

Where and When

The Celtic Classic is presented on the Historic Bethlehem’s festival grounds, along the Monocacy Creek and adjacent to the main shopping areas of Main Street Bethlehem.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: September 26,279 & 28, 2008.

Friday: 5PM to 11PM
Saturday: 9AM to 11PM
And Sunday: 9AM to 8PM

TOP

2008 Celtic Classic

September 26-28, 2008
Bethlehem, PA

Our e-newsletter subscribers are always the first to know about the latest happenings at Celtic Classic and other Celtic events throughout the year, so sign up here.

Volunteer

Volunteers are needed before, during and after Celtic Classic. Become a part of the action by signing up as a volunteer!

If you volunteered for the 2007 Celtic Classic, we already have your basic information. Click here to update your volunteer record.

If this is your first time to volunteer for the Celtic Classic Register now.

Become a Member of CCA!

Gain access to the many educational, cultural and social programs that Celtic Cultural Alliance sponsors by joining us as a member. All members receive a 10% discount on souvenirs during the Celtic Classic, so now is the time to join!