‘Bethlum’ celebrates everything Irish with music, dancing, cocktails and more

‘Bethlum’ celebrates everything Irish with music, dancing, cocktails and more

By Haley O’Brien

March 12, 2021

St. Patrick’s Day parades have been canceled but downtown Bethlehem still plans to celebrate with COVID-19-safe activities.

Erin Go Bragh is a gaelic phrase meaning “Ireland Forever.” 

“Bethlum Go Bragh” is a 10-day event starting March 13. It includes a scavenger hunt, live music, and a cocktails to-go trail for adults.

The Downtown Bethlehem Association is teaming up with the Celtic Cultural Alliance to bring back this old tradition. 

Tammy Wendling from the Downtown Bethlehem Association calls the Cocktail Trail a Covid-adapted pub crawl. 

“They’ll receive a to-go bag and a carrier, and they’ll proceed to 12 different stops and collect different samples, and then when they go home they can drink their samples and vote for their favorite,” Wendling says. 

Restaurants will have festive food and drink specials, as well..

“We’ve got a fabulous corned beef cheesesteak on our menu, that’s on all the time but we’ll have corned beef and cabbage on because a lot of people expect us to have that,” says Neville Gardner, owner of McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar. 

He’s looking forward to the celebration since his business was closed last St. Patrick’s Day. 

Irish dancers and bagpipers will be there throughout the week and patrons are encouraged to wear their parade day garb.

“We’re doing our best man’s legs in a kilt contest at 11 a.m. March 13,” he says. 

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