Tonight's downtown holiday parade will be so big that city workers were out along West Fourth Street this morning trimming low-hanging tree branches along the parade route to make room for the balloons.
The parade is set to step off at 6:30 from the staging area east of the intersection at West Fourth and Market streets and travel up up Fourth Street through the business district and past City Hall to the Historic District entranceway at Fourth and Elmira streets.
East Fourth Street between Basin and Market streets will be closed to traffic as the parade stages and traffic on Market Street will be temporarily halted as each parade division moves across the intersection.
Organizers reported this week that the parade will take about 90 minutes and there will be a halt in front of the grandstands at City Hall for performances by participating marching bands and other entertainers.
The official reviewing stand will be in front of Otto's bookstore.
The parade will feature a dozen giant inflated balloons designed and made by Bill Smith of "Smith's Special Productions!" Some of the balloons will span 30 to 40 feet in length. Also featured will be an assortment of marchers wearing cartoon-character costumes and floats sponsored by area churches, schools, businesses and clubs.
According to the streets and parks department, barricades will go up late this afternoon at the intersections of West Willow Street and Government Place and Laurel, Court and State streets; East Willow Street at State, East, Academy and Duke streets, and East Edwin and State streets.
Road closing signs will also be placed at West Edwin and Pine Street, West Third and Elmira streets and West Third and William streets.
Fire police volunteers or city police officers will man the intersections at East Fourth Street at Basin and Mulberry streets, and West Fourth at Market, William, Hepburn and Elmira streets.
Entertainment and the downtown tree lighting ceremony will take place after the parade in the parking lot on the southwest corner of the Hepburn-West Fourth Street intersection.
Parade lineup:
DIVISION No. 1
Williamsport Bureau Of Police - "Police Escort Vehicle and Bike Patrol"
WAHS presents the "Marching Millionaires" High School Marching
Band Director: Todd Kendall
Williamsport Sun Gazette (banner)
"Gobble the Turkey" helium parade balloon - handled by the Boy Scouts of America. Guided by balloon designer and creator Bill Smith
Williamsport Mayor Gabriel J. Campana and family
Escorted by: Police Chief Foresman and Fire Chief Heinbaugh
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Clear Channel Broadcasting
Coordinator: Tom Scott
Featuring: The Kiss FM radio station vehicle
Bill 95 FM radio station vehicle
Variety 97.7 radio station vehicle
WRAK Radio Station vehicle
"Pilgrim Father" helium parade balloon
Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and the Lycoming Visitors Bureau
Coordinator: Rachael Ulmer.
Williamsport Crosscutters Baseball
Coordinator: Gabe Sinicropi
Featuring: The Crosscutters' mascot "Boomer"
Susquehanna Trailways
Coordinator: Paul Chapman
Small motor coach with children watching a movie and adults passing out children's holiday bags.
The Williamsport Civic Ballet
Directors: Thomas and Kay Enterline
Featuring: Nutcracker Holiday Entry
Celebrity characters "Blondie and Dagwood"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
The United Way presents "Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
"Football" helium parade balloon/handled by the Lycoming County Special Olympics athletes
DIVISION No. 2
Marine Corps League Color Guard
Coordinator: Doug Lane
Celebrity characters "Beetle Bailey and Sarge with Otto"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
James V. Brown Library presents "The Story Mobile"
Children Outreach Program Director: Pam Fink
Preservation Williamsport presents "Victorian Christmas"
Coordinator: Cindy Bower
Featuring: Father Christmas, Victorian Christmas banner
Several Costumed members passing out butterscotch caramels
Two Scottish Flags.
The Penn York Highlanders Pipe Band
Coordinator: Cindy Bower
Featuring: Three Bag Pipers and Two Drummers
Williamsport City Council members
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Celebrity character "Mallard Fillmore"
"Big Top Billy - The Big Clown" balloon
presented by Smith Special Productions!/Balloonworks
The American Red Cross: Williamsport Chapter
Coordinator: Kathy Stine
Featuring: The Red Cross van
Six Mini Indy cars decorated holiday style
Girl Scout Group: Troop 60156
Scout Coordinator: Susan Kyle
Featuring: Fifteen Girl Scouts, Girl Scout banner, and candy/flyers
The Salvation Army
Coordinator; Marie Harris
Featuring: Small Salvation Army Band with Kettle float
Emergency canteen vehicle
Dunkin Donuts
Coordinator: Sue Weaver
Featuring: The Dunkin Donuts Mascot "Larry Latte"
Vehicle with signage
Several volunteers passing out wooden coins and Tootsie Rolls
DIVISION No. 3
South Williamsport High School Marching Band
Band Director: Jessica Kaledes
Celebrity character "Betty Boop" with special guest Mr. and Mrs. Jack Felix
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Newport Business Institute
Featuring: President Mary Weaver
Transportation Provided by Van Campen Motors
The Williamsport Merchants and Business Association
Coordinator: William McConnell - President
Featuring: WMBA banner and handlers
Fifties-style classic cars
Provided by Steve and Judy Carl
Featuring: 1955 Chevy "Peggy Sue" with Sock Hop Girls
1964 Chevy Impala
The Carl Stotz Trolley provided by River Valley Transit
Coordinator: William Nichols
Featuring: The Williamsport Repasz Band
Manager: Judy Shellenberger
"Speedy the Groovy Turtle" helium parade balloon
Citychurch
Coordinator: Lori Dutton
Featuring: Citychurch Holiday Entry
Williamsport Bureau of Fire
Coordinator: Deputy Chief Irv Gleason
Featuring: The Tower Truck No. 1
The Engine No. 1
The "Command Vehicle" Expedition
The Lycoming Republicans Women Association
Coordinator: Shirley Lord
Featuring: Suzanne Revak-Fedele and Shirley Lord
Transportation Provided By Van Campen Motors
College Town "Holiday Unit"
Coordinators: Rachael Ulmer and Jason Fink
Featuring: "Golf Carts" decorated holiday style
Lycoming College
Pennsylvania College of Technology
WBRE/WYOU News
Featuring: Eyewitness News Reporter Jeremy Deeble
WBRE/WYOU News Vehicle
DIVISION No. 4
Little League Baseball:
Coordinator: Jan Ogurcak
Featuring: The Little League mascot "Dugout"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Milissa Augustine Dance Academy:
Director: Milissa Augustine
Featuring: "The Polar Express" holiday dancers and float
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Coach: Milissa Augustine
Featuring: Wildcats Dance Team
Celebrity characters "Popeye the Sailorman with Swee'Pea and Olive Oyl"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Sovereign Bank
Coordinator: Denise Hauser
"Holiday Ornament" helium parade balloon sponsored by Sovereign Bank
YMCA and Pickelner Arena presents "Ryan Pelton Concert"
Featuring: Mercedes Benz with signage
Main Street Committee
Coordinator: Josh Trego
Featuring: "St. Nicolas" character
Vehicle with signage
Campy's Express
Provided by Mayor Campana
Featuring: Gabe's Angels and engineer
Celebrity characters "Brutus and Wimpy"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Trimtex
Coordinator: Kristina Snook
Featuring: Trimtex signage and vehicle
Kristina and strolling children
Theatricks of Central Pennsylvania
Coordinator: Frank Fedele
Featuring: Frank Fedele and cast
"Dino the Cheerful Dinosaur" helium parade balloon
The Newberry Committee Partnership
Coordinator: Allana Gabrielle
Featuring: Holiday float
Williamsport Skateboard Mission
Coordinator: Jason Mull
Featuring: Twelve skateboarders including Board members
Vehicle with signage
DIVISION No. 5
Flag Day 2009
Coordinator: Anthony DiSalvo
Featuring: Anthony DiSalvo and granddaughters
Transportation Provided by Van Campen Motors
"Patriotic Star" Helium Parade Balloon
Carried by The Boy Scouts of America
Kit Car: 1952 MG TD(Replicar)
Provided by Richard Dill of the "Dream Machines Motorclub"
Ottos Bookstore
Coordinator: Betsy Rider
Featuring: Ottos Annual "Angle Float"
Pine Street United Methodist Church
Coordinator: Patricia Wittig
Featuring: The Annual "Live Nativity" float
WAHS Varsity Cheerleaders
Coach: Stephanie Wahl
Assistant: Rodney Sones
Long Island Pizza
Coordinator: Kurt Kane
Featuring: Long Island Pizza Cruiser
The Kane Family and Banner
Volunteers passing out candy and T-shirts
Celebrity character "Grimmy" of the comic strip "Mother Goose and Grimm"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Lycoming County SPCA
Featuring: The SPCA "Emergency Vehicle"
Eagle Wings Service Dogs
SPCA "Shelter Dogs"
Celebrity characters "Mutts, Mooch and Earl"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Cooley Dance Co.
Coordinator: Lauren Cooley
Williamsport Scottish Rite
Coordinator: Rick Lorman
Featuring: 2009 Dodge Challenger "Limited Edition."
Plunkets Creek Fire Co.
Coordinator: Kathy Stine
Featuring: Holiday float
Pointman Ministries holiday entry
Coordinator: Frank Ritter
DIVISION No. 6
The Muncy High School Marching Band
Director: Stephanie Ritemeyer
"Candy Cane" helium parade balloon
Probst Family holiday entry
Coordinator: Mary Probst
Horsepower Harley Davidson
Coordinator: Rich
Featuring: Harley Davidson holiday vehicle and motorcycle unit
Celebrity character "Hagar the Horrible"
Transportation provided by Van Campen Motors
Backyard Broadcasting
Coordinator: Ted Minier
Featuring: Yukon and Super Roving Radio
The country 105 WILQ Van and 'Q' Rooster
WZXR Rock n Roll Wagon
Oldiez 93.3 Oldiez Mobile
"Kris Kringle" helium parade balloon
Sponsored by Backyard Broadcasting with banner
Phillips Fancy Footwork
Directors: Alana and Marcia Phillips
Featuring: Baton Twirling Group
Santa's Helpers Team
Peter Herdic Trolley
Provided by River Valley Transit
Coordinator: William Nichols
Featuring: Celebrity characters "Leroy and Loretta Lockhorn"
"Snowflakes the Snowman" helium parade balloon
Sponsored by Hutchinson Realty Development, LLC (with banner)
Appalachian Horse and Rescue
Coordinator: Cynde Eister
Featuring: Holiday float with volunteers and AHR banner
Appalachian Horse and Rescue mascot "Pebbles"
Horses ridden by volunteers
Appalachian Horse and Rescue "Horse and Carriage"
Featuring: Santa and Mrs. Claus
"The Holiday Wreath" helium parade balloon
"Follow Santa to City Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony and Celebration Banner"
Williamsport Bureau of Police
Coordinator: Doc Miller
Featuring: "The Mounted Horse Patrol"
