The Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival, Bethlehem, PA - September 28-30, 2012

[Jack Daw]

After my genealogy trip to Doylestown, I drove up to Bethlehem to attend one of the largest celtic festivals in the U.S. The event is located near the Lehigh River at the base of Main Street near the Historical District of the town. Some of the sites on the walk down Main:

The Moravian bookstore from 1745:


The Bretheren House, a dwelling for single men, built by the Moravians in 1748 (The sign above the wheel well of the police car says that the police know the tire is flat):


The pottery factory ruins:


To be continued....

[Jack Daw]

Some of the banners hanging from the bridge:


Despite the theme, the CC attracts a mixture of cultures - German, Irish, Scottish, Polish:


Although there was a lot to say the Scots were welcome, there were only four clan tents, including one of my own, the Buchanans:

[Jack Daw]

Because of GPS troubles, I did not know how to get to the Braveheart Highland Pub to meet the XMarks bunch, but I happened to see "DenMcDough" and his lovely wife, Patty, inside one of the entertainment tents. We also ran into svc40bt and got a photo, but the nice stranger gentleman, who took the picture, apparently did not hit the right button - Sorry, svc40bt:

[Jack Daw]

As Alan H said, the Celtic Classic invites the best athletes for the Highland Games:


I also took part in the (Irish) whiskEy tasting; although, I'm pretty sure I signed up for a SCOTCH tasting. The gentleman in the picture responded, "Yeah....no scotch this year." Okay, so who cares!? I sat on the front row and got a generous pouring from the beautiful Sarah, who was just two weeks from Ireland:

[Jack Daw]

The CC also attracts the pipe bands, including the Atlanta Pipe Band, one of the best in the U.S.:


Being an equine is apparently an excuse for improper Highland attire:

[David Thorpe]

The gentleman in the picture responded, "Yeah....no scotch this year." Okay, so who cares!?

Especially after the first half dozen "tastes", eh?

Great pics, Jack. Thanks.

[tulloch]

Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.

[MacAngus]

Great Pics they bring back some great memories.
The moravian buildings are where I went to the balmoral school for piping and drumming every summer for about 4 years.
A funny side note the horse is wearing the bethlehem PA tartan where the celtic classic is held

[denmcdough]

Jack (Steve), soooooo great to meet you. I enjoyed our conversation and the topics discussed. I'm glad you saw me in the Grand Pavilion.....I would have passed you up. Patty and I had a marvelous time talking to you and John. Sorry his pics did not work out. Lets keep in touch about hooking up in NY next September. Hope your stay in PA was a good experience.

Oh, and great pics. It gave a good feel to what the Bethlehem event is all about. Now, they just need more clan tents for next year!

Slainte,

Dennis

[pugcasso]

great tartan on most of the ones in the pipe band pic .... do you know what it is?