BethlehemTop story
Bethlehem's Celtic Classic is ending after 39 years, but its founders want to save it
The festival's run ended with an Oct. 28 announcement
- 2008Heavy rain nearly ends the festival, and founders help preserve it.
- Sept. 2026The 39th annual Celtic Classic is held.
- Oct. 28The Celtic Cultural Alliance announces it is concluding operations.
Source: wfmz.com
If you've spent a September weekend at the Celtic Classic, this one stings. The Celtic Cultural Alliance announced Wednesday, Oct. 28 that it's concluding operations after the 39th annual festival.
Attendance stayed strong. But the nonprofit pointed to changing spending habits, years of weather trouble, the lasting hit from COVID-19 and rising operating costs. "This was an incredibly difficult decision," Board President Lane Rundle said.
- Also ending: concerts, scholarships, classes and educational outreach
- Reach: millions of visitors over 39 years
- More on the group's history: celticfest.org
Founders Neville Gardner and Jim Foley aren't done yet. They helped save the festival in 2008 and hope to meet with Bethlehem's mayor. Neither has a concrete plan. "Both of our phones have been ringing off the hook all day long," Gardner told 69 News.
The alliance's run by the numbers
- 39
- years the Celtic Cultural Alliance has run
- 18
- years Jayne Ann Recker has led it as executive director
Sources: Lehigh Valley Press, wfmz.com
