Celtic Classic Festival Information

About Celtic Classic

The 23rd 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:

Four 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 14th Annual Celtic Classic Fiddle Competition
• A diverse marketplace of Celtic crafts, merchandise and collectibles
• Kids Craft Tent
• Celtic Crossroads (theater, music and film)

Parking / Shuttle Information

Celtic Classic Shuttle Hours:

• Saturday September 25th – 10:00am to 11:30pm (last bus leaves the festival at 11:30pm)
• Sunday September 26th – 11:00am to 9:00pm (last bus leaves the festival at 9:00pm)
  Cost:
  
  • $4.00 per day
  • $2.00 kids 10 and under
  • Catch the shuttle every 15 minutes from the Martin Tower lot, upon arriving at the festival immediately purchase your wristband for the return trip
    o Shuttle booth is located at festival shuttle drop off / pick up stop.
    o Shuttle booth closes prior to the last pick ups
    o Guests will not be allowed on the shuttle for the return trip without a wristband
     

Shuttle Location/Directions:

Martin Tower parking lot, 1170 8th Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18018 Google Map

Take Route 22 to 378 South. Take 8th Avenue exit, 8th Avenue North. Lot is on the right
 

Available parking lots:

• West Union Boulevard parking lot – less than 1 block from Celtic Classic
• North Street parking garage – 2 blocks from Celtic Classic
• Walnut Street parking garage – 1 ½ blocks from Celtic Classic
   

Access/Special Needs

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. Handicapped restroom locations: Piping Grove, Grand Courtyard (near First Aid RV) and Main Street (across from Highland Field).

Admission

FREE. The Celtic Classic is presented without an admission fee.

Directions to the Celtic Classic Grounds

From the East:
Route 22 West to Route 378 South to Center City exit. Follow the “From the Center City Exit” directions below.

From the West:
Interstate 78 East to Route 22 East to Route 378 South to Center City exit. Follow the “From the Center City Exit” directions below.

From the North:
Route 33 South to Route 22 West to Route 378 South to Center City exit.
Follow the “From the Center City Exit” directions below.

From the South:
NE Extension of the PA Turnpike (I-476) to Route 22 East (Exit #56) to Route 378 South to Center City exit. Follow the “From the Center City Exit” directions below.

From the Center City Exit:
Turn left at the end of the exit ramp. At the next light, turn left onto W. Broad Street. Follow the Celtic Classic parking signs.

Festival Map

Area Lodging

Hotel Bethlehem 437 Main Street Historic Bethlehem, PA 610.625.5000	Hyatt Place Bethlehem 45 West North Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 1-888-492-8847
Best Western 300 Gateway Drive Bethlehem, PA 610.866.5800	Comfort Inn 3191 Highfield Drive Bethlehem, PA 610.865.6300
Comfort Suites 120 W. 3rd Street Bethlehem, PA 610.882.9700	Comfort Suites 3712 Hamilton Boulevard Allentown, PA 610.437.0221
Courtyard by Marriott 2160 Motel Drive Bethlehem, PA 610.317.6200	Days Inn Conference Center Rte 22 & 309 Allentown, PA 610.395.3731
Fairfield Inn & Suites 3400 Airport Road Allentown, PA 610.867.8681	Four Points Sheraton 3400 Airport Road Allentown, PA 610.266.1000
Hampton Inn 200 Gateway Drive Bethlehem, PA 610.868.2442	Hilton Garden Inn 1787B Airport Road Allentown, PA 610.443.1400
Holiday Inn Conf. Center Fogelsville, PA 610.391.1000	Holiday Inn Express 2201 Cherry Lane Bethlehem, PA 610.838.6110
Holiday Inn Express 90 Kunkle Drive Easton, PA 610.923.9495	Homewood Suites 2031 Avenue C Bethlehem, PA 610.264.7500
Scottish Inns 1701 Catasauqua Road Allentown, PA 610.264.7531	Knights Inn 1880 Steelstone Road Allentown, PA 610.266.9070
Holiday Inn Express 3375 Highpoint Blvd Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-882-2255	Ramada Inn 1500 MacArthur Road Whitehall, PA 610.439.1037
Red Roof Inn 1846 Catasauqua Road Allentown, PA 610.264.5404	Sayre Mansion Inn 250 Wyandotte Street Bethlehem, PA 610.882.2100
Staybridge Suites 1787A Airport Road Allentown, PA 610.443.5000	Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott 2140 Hotel Drive Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-867-8681
Courtyard by Marriott 2220 Emrick Blvd Bethlehem, PA 610-625-9500

Campgrounds

ATM (Automated Teller Machine)

For the banking convenience of our Festival patrons, ATM machines are located on-site in the Grand Marketplace. See 2010 Festival Map for exact locations.

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.

Beverages

Can be purchased at: the Grand Courtyard, Highland Field, and The Glen. 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.

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.

First Aid and Emergency

First Aid Locations: Grand Courtyard (under bridge arch) and Highland Field. 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.

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.

 2010 Celtic Classic Raffle

This year the 2010 Celtic Classic has put together an amazing Raffle with a chance to win some great prizes. Before, leading up to and during the 2010 Celtic Classic your can purchase raffle tickets with a chance to win the following: 

• 1st Prize - 7 nights in a beautiful beach front resort at Puerto Morales Mexico. * Does not include air fare. (Retail value $1800.00)
• 2nd Prize – Beer for a Year! – A dream come true, you receive 24 cases of beer, from a pre-determined list. You determine how you would like to receive the beer, all at once or monthly until you reach 24 cases. You must 21 to participate! (Estimated Retail Value $720.00)
  Beer choices:
  1. Coors Light
  2. Labatt Blue
  3. Labatt Light
  4. Sam Adams Lager
  5. Sam Adams Seasonal
  6. Sam Adams Light
  7. Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
  8. Corona
  9. Moosehead
  10. Magic Hat #9
• 3rd Prize – Dinner for two at the Melting Pot. (Retail Value $100.00)

Raffle Tickets are $10.00 each and there are no restrictions on the number of tickets that can be purchased. All money collected benefits the Celtic Classic and helps to keep the festival a free event. Tickets can be purchased at Donegal Square prior to the event and in the booth next to Highland Field during the Celtic Classic.
 

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