The Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA) partnered with the Celtic Cultural Alliance to provide a week’s worth of festivities which will replace Bethlehem’s canceled Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Tammy Wendling, DBA manager, said, “With the pandemic, we obviously can’t have a huge crowd of people gathering for a parade. So, we came up with a solution that allows people to spread out their Saint Patrick’s day celebrations in Bethlehem. These events all allow for ample social distancing and safety.”

Event organizers are encouraging visitors to get their green on by attending any or all of the six Irish themed events; four different Beth-lum Go Bragh Cocktail To-Go Trails, a Clever Clover Scavenger Hunt, and The Irish Elves in Bethlehem Challenge. Throughout the events, businesses will be serving up Irish specialty foods, painting the town green with decorative window displays and outfits.

Event proceeds will benefit the Celtic Cultural Alliance, which is suffering financially. The pandemic forced the cultural nonprofit to cancel its revenue-driving 2020 Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival.

Additionally, the entire downtown business community will benefit from the increase in sales these socially distant, outdoor experiences will deliver. Wendling noted, “So many events have been canceled in the past year. This has seriously impacted the business community. There’s a real need to get people downtown so that these small business owners can hang on.”

March 13 & 14 and March 20 & 21

Beth-lum Go Bragh Cocktail To-Go Trails

The DBA will run four cocktail trails on two consecutive weekends. Tickets will be limited to 245 per date and guests will need to schedule times in advance to ensure social distancing. Passport holders will receive a cocktail tote so they can pick up St. Patrick’s Day inspired cocktails from various restaurants and merchants in historic Downtown Bethlehem. Visitors will vote for their favorites and earn a chance to win a prize. Tickets will be available on the Bethlum Go Bragh website.

March 13- March 21

Clever Clover Scavenger Hunt

Participants are invited to stroll around the downtown Historic District searching for various items on their Clever Clover Game Card, which they will be able to download from the Bethlum Go Bragh website. Players will upload photos for a chance to win a prize.

Irish Elves in Bethlehem

By popular demand, the Irish Elves will be back in downtown Bethlehem for a second year. Visitors will check out a list of limericks on the Bethlum Go Bragh website. These limericks will reveal clues as to where the mischievous little elves are hidden. Snap a selfie with an elf and upload it to the Heart of Bethlehem Facebook or Instagram pages, using the hashtag #IrishElvesinBethlehem. One winner will receive a $100 Downtown Bethlehem gift certificate.

Contributed article