No Fame Games

10/28/2026

Heartbreaking. Huge shoutout of gratitude to all those good people who sacrificed so much to make the Celtic Classic (and now former US Championship) one of the gold standard Highland Games and festivals in the world. Can imagine how difficult this decision was. Hope someone can step in and try to save it.

⛔️ ☘️ END OF AN ERA: CELTIC CLASSIC FESTIVAL PERMANENTLY ENDING AFTER 39 YEARS IN BETHLEHEM

BETHLEHEM, PA — After nearly four decades of celebrating Celtic heritage in the Lehigh Valley, the Celtic Classic Festival will not return in 2027.

The Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA) announced Wednesday that it has made the difficult decision to permanently end the popular festival, which has been a staple of Bethlehem’s North Side since 1988.

According to the organization, years of financial struggles, increasing operating expenses, changing consumer spending habits, unpredictable weather, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have made continuing the event financially impossible.

The festival has faced several setbacks in recent years, including significant financial losses in 2023 when heavy rainfall impacted attendance. A state grant helped keep the event going in 2024, but ongoing financial pressures continued.

Weather also affected this year’s 39th festival, forcing organizers to cancel the Showing of the Tartan Parade.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision,” said CCA Board President Lane Rundle.

For 39 years, the Celtic Classic brought thousands of visitors to Bethlehem each year for traditional music, food, cultural celebrations, the Highland Games, parades, and other festivities.

The organization expressed its appreciation to the countless volunteers, sponsors, performers, vendors, and attendees who helped make the festival a longtime Lehigh Valley tradition.

“The memories created over the past 39 years will live on far beyond the final festival,” Rundle said.

The Celtic Classic’s departure marks the end of one of Bethlehem’s most recognizable annual traditions.

💬 What is your favorite memory from the Celtic Classic? Will you miss seeing this festival in Bethlehem?

10/22/2026

Looking back at 2024, it still feels a bit like a dream. When Rogue Fitness onboarded us to help bring their first-ever Highland Games competition to life, we knew we were stepping into something massive. What we didn’t know was just how much of a last-minute miracle it would take to pull it off.

When the pressure was on and the clock was ticking, a global community literally came together across oceans. People from different corners of the world dropped everything, linked arms, and worked tirelessly to make the impossible happen. That weekend wasn’t just about heavy throws; it was a testament to the absolute power of culture, grit, and community. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨

We will always be grateful to the Rogue Invitational crew for giving our heritage a stage on one of the biggest platforms in strength sports.

As the excitement builds for this year’s Rogue Invitational, although 2024 was a one and done for Highland Games competition for their event we want to wish all those competitors and good crew members the absolute best. Cheers to another incredible weekend of breaking limits! 🥂💪

10/22/2026

Was recently reminded of a time in 2024 when we got a massive dose of legendary strength. 💥

It was an absolute privilege having Niko, aka Niko Chaprales, step up to the platform and show everyone what true powerhouse energy looks like. As if the atmosphere wasn’t electric enough, the Discovery channel crew was on-site filming him for Harpoon Hunters—capturing a true captain both on the water and on the lifting floor. ⚓️🏋️‍♂️

Wanna give another huge thank you to Niko for bringing that non-nonsense grit to the community and letting us be a part of his incredible strength journey. If you haven’t seen him captaining the Captain Niko Chaprales on Harpoon Hunters yet, go check it out!

10/21/2026

Thank you to all the new followers and people supporting what we do! It means more than you know. 🙏💪

10/17/2026

As the great Manchán Magan - Irish folklore poignantly says here with KNEECAP : “Nobody knows what’s going on!”

10/17/2026

10/08/2026

Stop chasing what is hollow. Prioritize carrying what has meaning. ⚔️🪵

Alan Watts has a famous quote for reminding us: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” You don’t choose the hardships, and you don’t get a rewind button. The only thing you truly own is the exact choice you make right now.

That is exactly why No Fame Games rejects modern corporate fitness clout. We spend our days honoring Celtic strength, stonelifting, and ancient heritage sports because they ground us in what is real. Lifting stone isn’t about ego—it’s about testing your mettle, honoring those who came before us, and realizing that true strength is built in community.

How are you choosing to spend your time? 👇

10/06/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 CHANNEL YOUR INNER HIGHLANDER! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Get ready to hear the pipes roar because the Scotland CT Highland Games are back this Saturday, Oct 10! 🥁 Gates open at 9:00 AM sharp, and you won’t want to miss a single minute of the action.

🔥 EXCLUSIVE ATTRACTION: Direct from the motherland, the legendary Clach Fear Alba stone from Scotland will be waiting for you. Think you have the strength of the ancient clans? Head over to the Try-It Station near the Blacksmith and test your power by lifting a real piece of Scottish history! 🏋️‍♂️💪

Bring your appetite for great food, your love for Celtic music, and your competitive spirit. See you there!

📍 Brooklyn Fairgrounds, CT
⏰ Saturday, Oct 10 | 9:00 AM
🎫 Grab your crew and get here early!

10/05/2026

Spinning a heavy weight requires balance, but the most beautiful thing about the Heavy Events is how it anchors us to our roots. ⚓️

Though it’s a staple in the Scottish tradition of the Highland Games Heavy Events of today, the Heavy Weight for Distance actually traces its lineage back to Ireland’s ancient Tailteann Games. Every time we step into the trig, we breathe life into a shared Celtic family and Tree of Life that transcends borders. We throw to remember, and we stay for the community. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪☘️

Hannah “Hanny DeVito” Lewandowski is one of our favorite throwers and people to have on the field. She is a prime example of the exact people who make our community inclusive and feel like a family. She puts in the effort and she transcends the borders. Thank you Hannah for all you do, seen and unseen! 🙏