Celtic Cultural Alliance’s Celtic Classic event: 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 27; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 28: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in historic downtown Bethlehem, Conestoga, Spring, Main and Lehigh streets areas. Information, schedules, directions, volunteer opportunities: visit Twitter (@CelticClassic); Facebook (facebook.com/CelticClassic); www.celticfest.org; Festival map: visit celticfest.org/celtic-classic-map/ and celticfest.org/

Events

The Junior Fiddle Competition takes place in the Charles A. Brown Ice House Sept. 28. There are two categories: House Novice Division for a junior competitor age 13 or under (starting time: 9 a.m. sharp) and Open Division for competitors from age 14 to 18 (starting time is approximately 10:30 a.m.). The 2023 winners were, in the 13 years old and under division, first: Serafina Salvaterra; second: Evangeline Salvaterra and third: Joshua Serrano; and in 14 through 17-year-olds, first: Adelaide Gustavson; second: Lily Clifford; and third: Vanessa Trbuza.

The Celtic music tradition predates the American fiddle tradition and includes traditional dance tunes such as jigs, reels, hornpipes, slip jigs, slides, mazurkas, polkas, strathspeys and schottisches. For more information, visit celticfest.org/fiddlecomp/

A free youth fiddle workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at Celtic Heritage Hollow stage. D’Arcy Furniss of the Ontario-based Glengarry Bhoys, a contest judge, will lead the instruction. The workshop is open to all the fiddle contestants of the previous day’s competition, plus any advanced beginner violin or fiddle player under the age of 18 who preregistered. Free; public attendance welcomed. Visit celticfest.org/the-celtic-classic-fiddle-workshop/

Shortbread baking contest at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 28 at Celtic Heritage Hollow, sponsored by King Arthur Flour. Contestants must use King Arthur Flour in their recipe and provide proof of purchase. There is also a prize for a baker under the age of 18 in the contest. Food professionals are not eligible. Visit celticfest.org/shortbread-baking-contest/

The Haggis Bowl returns at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 27 at Highland Field. The person who eats one (1) pound of haggis the fastest wins. No condiments, seasonings or sauces allowed. Haggis must be eaten as presented. Beverages are permitted. Information: visit celticfest.org/haggis/

Celtic Yoga with instructor Terry Brady Hind. Celtic spirituality and connection to nature and yogic traditions and philosophies. Bring your own mat and a hydration beverage. 8 a.m. Sept. 28. Cost. Register at the event, Colonial Industrial Quarter. Access from Main Street following the path next to Historic Hotel Bethlehem or through Celtic Classic over the foot bridge in Grand Pavilion. Information: visit Terryb.yoga or email teresalynn64@hotmail.com

Drum Major competitions Since the early 1600s, drum majors have been entrusted with the dress, deportment and discipline of regimental bands. Initially they were the main instructors to “The Drums” or “Military Music.” The major was charged with forming the field music that would provide music on the march, as well as relay commands on the field of battle and guide soldiers through their daily routine. Early on, they were outfitted with the grandest uniforms that the regiment or its officers could afford. The Staves or Maces bore a stave, often of silver or ebony richly decorated and engraved with the unit’s battle honors or ciphers of their royal patrons. The staves were often passed down to each new Drum Major. The drum majors are judged on execution of the commands, keeping time, marching, body carriage and mace movements.

2024 Competing Drum Majors: Bruce Harkness of Brimfield, Dennis Ducsik of Worcester, Patrick Dowd of Glen Falls and William Bullard of Fall River, all in Massachusetts; Scott Chadwick of Belford, New Jersey; David Paige of Preston, Connecticut and Jason Matteson, of Clarksville, Tennessee. The competition is at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28 on Highland Field. Information: visit celticfest.org/drum-major/

Highland Games Championship begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 28, Highland Field. Damien Fisher, last year’s ranked number one, returns to defend his record. For the 2023 winners and more information, visit celticfest.org/highland_games/

Showing of the Tartan parade (visit celticfest.org/showing-of-the-tartan-parade/), City hall step-off: 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28. Ends on Highland Field with opening ceremonies. Clans and societies, competing Grade 4 Pipe Bands, Liberty HS Grenadier Band; Freedom HS Patriot Band and Bangor High School Slater Band; five stages featuring international, national and regional artists; Celtic Classic Invitational Pipe Band Competition; U.S. National Highland Games Championships; Border Collie demos, live world music, haggis and fiddle competitions; Celtic merchandise and collectibles; clans and societies, cultural children’s activity area. Information: visit celticfest.org/showing-of-the-tartan-parade/ and for a festival map, visit celticfest.org/celtic-classic-map/

The massed bands will perform beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 on Highland Field. The Grade 4 Pipe Band awards will be announced at 5:45 p.m., also on Highland Field.

Scholarships: Celtic Cultural Alliance’s mission is to promote and preserve the Celtic culture through educational workshops, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance. In support of this mission, each year scholarships are awarded to students studying Celtic music, dance or art or volunteering at the Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival.

The 2024 winners will be announced at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 29 at Highland Field. For information and a photo of previous winners, visit celticfest.org/scholarships/

Pet reminder

Celtic Fest advises no animals except animals that are specifically trained to aid a disabled person defined under the American Disabilities Act should be brought due to noise, crowds and hot pavements. Visit celticfest.org/ for more information.

Accessibility

The Celtic Classic grounds are wheelchair-accessible. 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 and Lehigh Streets. For more information, visitcelticfest.org/festival-directions-shuttle-and-parking/

Celtic Classic is cashless

Cash will not be accepted for food or beverage purchases at the 2024 event. Guests may use credit and debit cards, Celtic Classic gift cards, and Apple, Google and Samsung Pay. Tokens may be purchased in advance at celticfest.org/giftcards_tokens/

Cash may be used to purchase Celtic Classic gift cards at one of the booths located in Grand Pavilion and Tavern in the Glen. Gift cards may be used for food & beverage purchases. Retail merchants will not accept gift cards.

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties.