IOANNIS PASHAKIS/ Sun-Gazette The Latin American region champions, Luz-Maracaibo Little League of Maracaibo Venezuela, catches a game on Lamade Hill.

It’s really a nice way of a city welcoming the entire world and each year seems to be attracting more and more visitors, according to organizers.

The eighth annual Williamsport Welcomes the World is expected to draw thousands of visitors Friday to the city’s downtown, said Jessie Novinger, city recreation director.

From an appearance by ex-New York Yankee Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October,” who belted three consecutive home runs on three consecutive pitches off of three different pitchers in the sixth game of the 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, to the aroma of freshly made Tex-Mex tacos and sausages sizzling, or listening to the sounds of musicians performing on the streets, the localized festival that welcomes the global community is guaranteed to bring moments to create lasting memories, said Jason Fink, executive director of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, a co-sponsor, and executive vice president of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

“Everything is lining up and it looks like we have a lot of good things in place for people,” Fink said Wednesday, as he and a team of organizers, including Cindi Perry, of iHeart Media, and others on a committee prepared for the festival, which ends up blocking off streets downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. during a day when players and fans take a day off the game schedule at the Little Leauge World Series.

It’s the hype of activity before two days of exciting championships leading to the World Series championship game Sunday.

Dozens of vendors are ready to make it a special event.

At latest count, 88 vendors, many of whom fry potatoes, grill sausages and hamburgers and create taco dishes in food trucks have signed on for the fair, Novinger said.

“We have plenty of kids activities, live music provided by Uptown Music Collective and others and a lot of food and craft vendors,” Fink said.

Mayor Gabriel J. Campana said his children came up with the theme and name of Williamsport Welcomes the

World after they thought exactly what does the city do during the Little League World Series classic.

“Our goal is to provide a fun, family event and to capitalize on the individual talents we have in our great city,” Campana said. “We also wanted a regional attraction and a new economic development tool,” he said.

Among the big star attractions this year is Jackson, who will hold a photograph-autograph session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau and chamber of commerce building near the corner of West Fourth and Pine streets, Fink said.

Jackson also is expected to serve as a bench coach during the Little League Challenger Division Game at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the complex in South Williamsport, Novinger said.

One check on their preparatory list organizers had nothing to do with was the weather, but it appears someone upstairs favors Williamsport. Conditions are expected to be perfect, with sun and a high of 77 degrees, dropping a bit cooler in the evening but remaining clear, according to the National Weather Service forecast from State College.

“It’s coming together real nice for a great evening in downtown Williamsport and celebrating Little League Baseball,” Fink said. “We’re culminating a great week-and-a-half of baseball, leading into the championship weekend,” he said “We have a number of teams that are coming out for this event.”

A day of rest from the games at Lamade and Volunteer stadiums also provides people who haven’t had the opportunity to explore what Lycoming County and the city offers, such as the Susquehanna River Walk and the new destinations such as Trade and Transit Centre II and Midtown Landing, with the artwork and city history to see and learn about.

Clearly, though, among the more popular activities at Williamsport Welcomes the World is tasting the many varieties of food available from vendor trucks.

“We have 88 vendors signed up” Novinger said.

While some are selling food, others are in booths with crafts and commercial and non-profit organizational representatives, she said.

The streets will be filled with the aroma of tacos, sausages, burgers on the grill and sweet smiles of children, Novinger said.

To that end, Midtown Landing will feature a large “Kids Zone,” with at least four bounce houses and other types of games from the younger crowd, Novinger said.

Many of the city’s downtown merchants, too, remain open – for people to savor specialty items, or buy local products sold every day in the city, she said.

Perry, who helped to organize the activities, said it’s a family fun event for residents and visitors. She included information ahead of time about the magician Eddy Ray, who will perform shows at Community Park at West Fourth and Market streets at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

During his show, audiences have their minds read, cut ropes, mend themselves, and objects appear and disappear, Perry said. Children have a chance to volunteer and become part of the show, she said.

Music will be provided by Uptown Music Collective and others on the stage under the marquee of the Community Arts Center on West Fourth Street.

The musical lineup includes: 3rd Street Blues Band, 5 p.m.; Billtown Giants, 5:50 p.m.; Kimberly Adair and Soulful, 6:40 p.m.; Dirty Mojo, 7:30 p.m.; and Veer, 8:20 p.m.

Acoustical music will be performed on Pine Street with a lineup including: Chloe Taylor, 5 p.m.; Just Jazz, 5:50 p.m.; Maren Show, 6:40 p.m.; Twin Sinners, 7:30 p.m.; and Susquehanna Jamcrackers, 8:20 p.m.

To make it safe, Tom Cillo, general manager of the city Streets and Parks Department, said streets in the business district — from Market to Hepburn street and side streets will close to traffic at 1 p.m. to accommodate the four-hour celebration and create a safety barrier.

Streets to be closed in the area of the festival include: West Edwin and West Fourth streets north and south, Court Street, Pine Street, William Street and Laurel Street.

City police also will have a special day ahead of them, with an open house coinciding with the street activities, according to Chief of Police David J. Young.

Come at 5 p.m. on to see how law enforcement deals with criminals and how area municipal agencies coordinate with city police to stop crime. Exhibits will be on display, professionals will answer questions and safety and crime-prevention tips will be offered.

In all, it should be an educational and fun experience for all ages, Novinger said.