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BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania, March 1st, 2022 — The streets of Bethlehem turn green on March 12th as thousands of emerald-clad revelers will sweep into Historic Bethlehem for the 12th Annual Celtic Classic Parade of Shamrocks organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA).
The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. at 5th Avenue and W. Broad streets and proceeds east on Broad Street, turns right on to Main Street and heads south on Main Street. The parade concludes under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge.
This free event has plenty of viewing along the sidewalks of the procession route.
This year’s event will feature everything from pipe bands, Irish dancers, local school bands to a kazoo band and more. This is a great day to be enjoyed by everyone.
Ms. Francis King will serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. Francis has been a volunteer at the Celtic Classic, selling souvenir beer mugs, since the first event, 35 years ago. At the age of 91 she is still going strong and our top mug seller. Francis is a resident of Bethlehem and volunteered for many local organizations over the years.
After the parade, many stores and businesses have special activities planned throughout the day along Main Street & Broad Streets. Pubs and restaurants will have Irish themed menus and drink specials.
“Over 30% of the Lehigh Valley’s residents have Celtic roots.” says Jayne Ann Recker, Executive Director of the Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA). “But everyone is Irish for the Parade of Shamrocks.”
The parade unofficially marks the halfway point to the 35th Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival, the largest free Celtic festival in North America, organized by the CCA.
The Celtic Classic will be held September 23 – 26. Annually, over 250,000 visitors come to Historic Bethlehem to join in this celebration of all things Celtic. Festivities include the U.S. National Highland Games Championship, pipe band competition, authentic Celtic merchants and world-renowned Celtic performers.
For more information on the Parade of Shamrocks and other Celtic Cultural Alliance events, visit the organization’s website at www.celticfest.org.
Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, Parade of Shamrocks and CCA event logos are trademarks of Celtic Cultural Alliance in the
U.S. and/or other countries.
© 2014 Celtic Classic- Highland Games & Festival.
All Rights Reserved.
About the Celtic Cultural Alliance
On Columbus Day weekend in 1988, the first Celtic Classic was presented by a small group of individuals. The goal of this dedicated group was to create an event that symbolized the Celtic spirit and history, and to provide the impetus for an organization that focused on promoting the Celtic culture. This group has now evolved into Celtic Cultural Alliance to better communicate the overall goals of the organization.
The CCA has expanded with year-round programming to support the mission of promoting and preserving Celtic Culture through arts, music, literature, dance, and history programs. In keeping with the spirit of “Next Generation”, the CCA also offers scholarships to promising young students of the Celtic Arts. These yearly scholarships are offered to students of the arts, including Irish Step Dance, Highland Dance, Fiddle, and Bagpipes.
The Celtic Classic has blossomed into one of the largest Highland Games and Festival in North America. Annually, over 250,000 visitors come to Historic Bethlehem to join in this celebration of all things Celtic. The organization has expanded into year-round programs. Our educational programming has expanded to include community outreach events in area school districts, religious institutions, local theaters and colleges throughout the Lehigh Valley. A series of scholarships are awarded each year in varied areas of Celtic culture.
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Information provided to TVL by:
Jayne Ann M. Recker – Executive Director
Celtic Cultural Alliance Office
http://www.celticfest.org/
