BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Celtic Cultural Alliance's annual Parade of Shamrocks, which teetered on the brink of extinction before the city stepped in with funding last year, will return this year.
The Alliance, or CCA, has announced registration is open for the 15th annual Parade of Shamrocks on March 15.
The parade, now a partnership between Downtown Bethlehem Association and the city, will start on Broad Street and continue east on Broad and then travel south on Main Street.
It will end under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge.
“We could not be more excited to be planning this celebration."Celtic Cultural Alliance Executive Director Jayne Recker
Registration is open to nonprofits, organizations, teams, clubs and local businesses.
According to CCA's website, political campaigning is prohibited.
Parade registrants must select from the following categories: float, individual (three or fewer people, military group, school band, scouting group, sports team marching group (10 or more people), group with vehicles and commercial vehicles.
The deadline for pipe bands to register is Feb. 28. Other groups must register by March 1.
For information on how to register and the Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, visit CCA's website.
The parade is an event by CCA, which also presents the annual Celtic Classic festival, the largest Celtic celebration in North America, each fall in downtown Bethlehem.
Financial woes, city partnership
The Parade of Shamrocks entered the partnership with the city for its 2024 version amid financial woes.
Before the city stepped in, the parade had not been held since 2019.
“The 2025 Parade of Shamrocks would not be possible without the support we have received from the City of Bethlehem and presenting sponsor Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The CCA staff, board and volunteers are looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.”Celtic Cultural Alliance Executive Director Jayne Recker
CCA Executive Director Jayne Recker said at the time, the city was “coming off a difficult year at the Celtic Classic where we experienced a lot of rain.”
Low attendance at 2023’s three-day downtown festival was caused by inclement weather.
The coronavirus pandemic caused its cancellation in 2020 and 2021.
Celtic Classic also has faced questions about its future after rainy weather severely affected attendance in 2023.
In March 2024, CCA was awarded a $75,000 grant from the state to help with the cost to bring performers and athletes, along with other entertainment.
The alliance will celebrate its 38th Celtic Classic festival Sept. 26-28.
Last year's Parade of Shamrocks,the first in five years, ran for about an hour and featured bagpipers, fire trucks and dance groups.
“We could not be more excited to be planning this celebration," Recker said in a release.
“The 2025 Parade of Shamrocks would not be possible without the support we have received from the City of Bethlehem and presenting sponsor Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
"The CCA staff, board and volunteers are looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.”
