Published October 11. 2022 03:31PM
Wind and cold rain may have been appropriate, but it didn’t help turnout for the 35th annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival the Sept 23 weekend.
Celtic Cultural Alliance Executive Director Jayne Recker said attendance was lower than planned, but the event was still a success, with Celtic food, arts and pastimes enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the weekend of Sept. 23.
Winners of the various competitions are:
Grade 3 pipe bands - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
Grade 4 pipe band - Sean McGonigal Pipe Band, West Orange, NJ
Amateur Drum Major - William Bullard, Fall River, MA
Open Drum Major - Andrew Sheedy, Syracuse, NY
Fiddle Competition - Serafina Salvaterra, 13 + under, Alburtis Alannah Redmond, 14 - 18, York
U.S National Highland Games Championship - John VanBeuren, Meridian, ID
Scottish Shortbread Baking Contest - Dana Doig, Coatsville
BP-3881 Local to the Lehigh Valley Celtic fusion band “Blackwater” performs a show in the intimate setting of the Ice House during Celtic Classic. The September festival is free to the public and offers an array of activity including cultural Scottish / Irish cuisine, authentic musical acts, exciting shopping and the Highland Games among many other fun things to do.
The “Steel City Rovers” are a great party style band with plenty of Irish stories to tell. They perform songs like “Seven Beer Itch” and “Guiness for Two”. The band traveled from Hamilton, Canada, to perform at Celtic Classic.
Faith and Begorra, Purveyor of Fine Irish and Catholic Gifts from Denville, NJ, had just the right thing for shopper Christina Nemes. She was looking for something special for her granddaughter and found these toddler kilts. “I'm going to buy this one; Mimi will love it,” she said as she held up the Scottish red plaid one.
The O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance is always a highlight of Celtic Classic. Performing several times on every day and many stages, they are dancing on the Tavern in the Glen stage. Based in Easton, the dance company actively trains through classes and camp. They have a busy schedule all year, including parades, competitions and public performances.
PRESS PHOTO BY LORI PATRICK Celtic United Pipe and Drums Band forms a circle to perform at the intersection of Spring Street and Main Street during Celtic Classic Sept. 23. The bass drum is played by Drum Sergeant McLean Peeke. Formed in 2004, the band donates its services and performs at fire / police memorials, awards ceremonies and community events.
