BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A Lehigh Valley tradition for decades gets underway once again this weekend!
The Celtic Classic brings together Irish, Welsh, and Scottish culture, and more. It’s being held in downtown Historic Bethlehem under the Hill to Hill Bridge.
The Celtic Classic takes a lot of pride in being one of the most unique festivals in the Lehigh Valley, from the food to the fashion.
“It’s all about heritage. It’s all about keeping those ties alive,” said Celtic Classic King Jared Eyer. “You know, I have ties to Ireland. I have ties to Scotland as well.”
The Classic is one of the largest Celtic festivals in North America.
There are five stages of authentic world-renowned music.
It hosts the US nationals of the Highland Games, which brings in the top 10 professionals in the country to compete for the titles.
There are even two grades of pipe band competition, grade three and grade four. And of course, there is exotic food.
Some like the hagas, is an acquired taste.
“It’s organ meat,” described Eyer. “Lung, liver, heart, from sheep or lamb, and then it’s cooked with oats and spices within the sheep’s stomach.”
Last year was a near washout, but organizers are hoping the cloudy weather will hold, and remind revelers of the highlands in their homelands.
“The energy is very high this year, coming off of the rain that we had last year,” said Celtic Classic Executive Director Jayne Ann Recker. “It was devastating, and to be honest, we weren’t sure what our future looked like. So to be standing here right now, everyone is super excited.”
The Celtic Classic runs through Sunday.