- Bethlehem's Celtic Classic festival, which kicks off tonight, has canceled its Showing of the Tartan Parade on Saturday because of predicted heavy rain
- The rest of the three-day festival is rain-or-shine, and will continue as scheduled, officials said
- The festival has occasionally struggled with bad weather over its 35-year history
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With the possibility of heavy rain headed to the area from a coastal storm, the Celtic Cultural Alliance has canceled one of the scheduled high points of this weekend's Celtic Classic festival.
The Showing of the Tartan Parade, which had been scheduled to step off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, has been canceled, the festival said in a release.
"The Celtic Classic Highland Games [and] Festival is otherwise a rain or shine event. If severe weather is detected we will announce any further closures via social" media.Celtic Classic news release
"The Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival is otherwise a rain or shine event," the release said. "If severe weather is detected we will announce any further closures via social" media.
The 36th Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival starts with a VIP reception at Highland Field in Bethlehem at 4 p.m. today, Friday, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 24 in downtown Bethlehem.
The festival said that for up-to-the-minute information and updates, people should follow Celtic Classic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@CelticClassic).
Celtic Classic throughout its 35-year history has sometimes struggled with bad weather.
In 2008, heavy rains caused the Monocacy Creek to flood, washing away much of the festival and causing more than $100,000 in losses.
In 2004, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan flooded the tents with 6 feet of water days before the festival, forcing Celtic Classic to lay off all three of its paid staff members and to take out a $60,000 line of credit.
In 1992, three days of cold rain from tropical storm Danielle canceled the festival's opening ceremonies. A torrential downpour also kept attendance down in 1996.
