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Christmas parade set for magical Saturday evening

RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette Santa waves to the crowd at Williamsport's Holiday Parade Friday night as he makes his way down Fourth Street to the new Santa house at the corner of Fourth and Hepburn. Here Brenden Kuriga, 3, son of Chris and Erin Kuriga, as well as other 3 to 9-year-olds played bells with the Annabells of St. John's Newberry United Methodist Church after the lighting of the downtown Christmas Tree.

Williamsport’s downtown will light up in color, festive holiday balloons, bands and floats, and — of course — the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at their temporary house on the Williamsport Green.

Mayor Gabriel J. Campana, along with city Recreation Department and commission officials, decided to hold the special event bringing out the joy of the season a week before Thanksgiving.

“This is a celebration for families and people of all ages,” said Campana, who will be introducing Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s House during the annual tree lighting, which begins immediately after the 68th annual Billtown Christmas Parade.

Williamsport will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, the mayor said.

Even though the forecast calls for warmer weather than a person might anticipate the week before Thanksgiving, the parade kickoff will be on a chilly evening. At 6 p.m. Saturday, the low should be around 35 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in State College. There’s a chance of rain after 8.

Kayla Drummand, a spokeswoman for the city Recreation Department, said the big anticipation is the route this year, bringing Santa to the front of City Hall to greet the children at the parade’s end.

The tree lighting ceremony will feature the mayor and Santa Claus presenting the traditional, 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on the Williamsport Green.

Just after the tree lights up, Santa will visit with children and hear their Christmas and holiday wishlists in his house. Parents may take their own photos, Drummand said.

The starting point of the parade is at the intersection of Elmira and West Third streets and the end is the intersection of Elmira and West Fourth streets. The parade will proceed east on West Third Street from Elmira Street to Pine Street, then north on Pine Street to West Fourth Street, then west on West Fourth Street, to finish at Elmira Street.

Here’s the parade lineup:

• Billtown Christmas Parade banner, with Brea Mutchler, handler

• City Bureau of Police and Capt. Jody Miller in a vehicle

• City Bureau of Fire and the command vehicle

• Mayor Gabriel J. Campana and family, with driver Dee Reed, executive assistant to mayor

• Peter Herdic Trolley with City Council

• City Deputy Fire Chief David Dymeck and Car 1, Engine 1 and Tower 1

• Parade Grand Marshal Harvey Tee, of River Valley Transit

• Banners and handlers

• The Grinch

• Backyard Broadcasting news coordinator John Finn featuring: WILQ van and Boombox, WZXR van, Oldiez 93 van and The Rooster

Division 2

• Pace car

• Loyalsock Township High School Lancer Marching Band and coordinator Ryan Bulgarelli

• Loyalsock Township High School Varsity Cheerleaders and coordinator Marissa Barnett

• Northern Tier Central Labor Council, coordinator Randy Beightol and balloon on float

• Eastern Lycoming YMCA SuperStars/Special Needs and coordinator Diana Logan; featuring the “Spreading Christmas Cheer” float

• Lycoming County Dairy Promotion and cooordinator Laura Taylor, presenting an “Old Fashion Dairy Christmas”

Division 3

• Pace car

• Milissa Augustine Dance Academy and coordinator Milissa Augustine, presenting “A Disney Style Christmas,” featuring Disney mascots, dancing Christmas characters, Christmas Dance Team and Disney Christmas float

• Old Lycoming Volunteer Fire Co. and coordinator Lee Shipe featuring a fire truck and “Snuffy” the Famous Fire House Dog

• Saint Luke Lutheran Church and coordinator Linda Liptak, featuring a live nativity float

• Lycoming County SPCA and coordinator: Missy Black, featuring: SPCA van, banner, and shelter dogs

• Inflated gift box balloon presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs and coordinator Bill Smith and Smith Special Productions

• Banner and balloon handlers: Jersey Mike’s employees

• Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens and coordinator Tammy Schaffner, featuring rollerskaters

Division 4

• Pace car

• Warrior Run High School Defender Marching Band and coordinator Dawn Doll

• Williamsport Crosscutters, featuring “Boomer” on his UTV and coordinator Sarah Budd

• Polar Princesses LLC and coordinator Kristin Newvine, presenting a winter-themed float featuring princesses

• Spitler Inc. and coordinator Lori Mahaffey, featuring the mobility van

• Billtown Jeeps and coordinator Evan Jones, featuring eight Jeeps dressed in ugly Christmas sweaters

• Bayada Home Health and coordinator Karla Klos, presenting “Home Care Keeping Loved Ones Home for the Holidays” float

Division 5

• Pace car

• iHeart Media and coordinator Marlyn Flynn, featuring Kiss 102.7 van, Bill 95 van, V97 van and Rock 94.9 van

• Community Theater League and coordinator Seth Sponhouse, featuring CTL Show Choir

• U.S. Marine Corps League “Toys For Tots” and coordinator Bill Dougherty, presenting “Toys For Tots” float

• Williamsport Area High School Cheerleaders and coordinator Rodney Sones

• Williamsport Area High School Marching Millionaires and coordinator Todd Kendall

• Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage provided by Don Kuhns

• City police escort to the rear

• Transportation for pace cars provided by Van Campen Motors

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