For many locals, South Williamsport’s Mummers Parade has become an annual tradition. The parade will return again this year on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. This year’s organizers have promised several new lineup and organizational changes, which should make this year’s parade even better than before.

“It’s a tradition in the area,” said Kenneth Ecker, president of the organization.

“We’ve done a lot this year, and made some exciting changes. We have all new board members, a new lineup – basically, everything has been revamped,” he added.

This year’s parade will have more than 10 divisions, with more than 100 entries. Fire trucks, floats, and marching bands will be only a few of the attractions sure to delight the crowds on the sidelines.

“We tried to reorganize the lineup, to make everything run smoother, more uniform and with better timing so the parade flows easier. It is laid out a lot differently this year than it has been in the past” Ecker said.

This year’s parade will begin at 2 p.m. at the Charles M. Noll Funeral Home on E. Central Avenue. The parade will head west until it reaches Clark Street. From Clark Street, the parade will turn onto Southern Avenue and follow it all the way to Howard Street. The festivities are expected to last until 5 p.m.

A judges stand, located across from the CVS on West Southern Avenue, will judge the divisions and award numerous prizes to exemplary entries.

The Mummers Association also will be bringing back their food stand, which many have missed over the last two years. The stand will serve hot dogs, soda, and BBQ, Ecker said. All proceeds will go towards funding next year’s parade.

In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled for either Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. or Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

The organization’s membership has fluctuated in past years, and Ecker expressed concern that without new members, the parade may not be able to continue. Most of the organization’s funding comes through charity donations and ad sales, which go right back into funding next year’s parade, according to Ecker.

“It seems like every year we get less and less people to help get this organized. The group we have now puts a lot of effort into keeping this going,” Ecker said.

He, himself, joined the organization two years ago when low membership in the organization threatened the parade’s longevity.

“I saw something in a paper about how they needed new membership, and I went down to a meeting and got involved,” Ecker said.

“My wife and I have been taking our kids to the parade for 15 to 20 years. We wanted to keep it going for the other kids and families for whom it is a tradition,” he added.

Those interested in joining the Mummers Association are invited to attend one of the group’s monthly meetings, held the second Tuesday of every month at the DuBoistown Fire Hall at 7 p.m.

Parade Lineup

Division 1

South Williamsport Police Department

Lycoming County Sheriff’s Office

Mummers’ Parade Banner

Carried by: Nicholas and Joey Signor

Boy Scouts of America

Mummers’ Parade Collection

Corey Lowe & Jean Lowery

Mummers’ Parade Officials

Officials’ Cart driven by Jackie Ecker

Chief Marshal Pat Schramm

Driven by Karen Schramm

SWAHS Mummers’ Queen & Court

Sabrina Mussare, Queen

Marie Cashera & Bayle Kurtz, Court

South Williamsport Mayor & Family

David and Christine Lechniak

Driven by Mary Ann Cowden

South Williamsport Borough Officials

Individual Mummers

Rogers Uniforms

Division 2

Division Car – Justin Simpson

South Williamsport Mountie Band

S.W. Varsity Cheerleaders

South Wltliamsport Drama Club

S.W. Youth Football/Cheer

SWASD Literacy Program

South Williamsport A.Y.S.O.

Studio of the Performing Arts

First Ward Fire Company

Spook Haven Haunted Attraction

Cowdens Balzery & Family Market

Division 3

Division Car – Michelle Younkin

Williamsport H.S. Marching Millionaires

Williamsport High School Cheerleaders

Williamsport Youth Cheer/Football

Student Transportation of America

Young Marines of Williamsport

Williamsport Bureau of Fire

The Goof Troupe Clowns

Paws Park

Roads to Freedom

Sweet Frof Frozen Yogurt

Division 4

Division Car – Mike Brewer

Montgomery Red Raider Marching Band

South Williamsport Lions Club

Independent Fire Co. No. 1

Advantage Concrete

Laurel Ridge Riders

Imbibe Lounge

The Crazy Tomato

Kressly’s Paint and Wallpaper

Fairlawn Community Church

The Cell Block

Division 5

Division Car – Steve Baker

Montoursville Warrior Marching Band

Montoursville Area H.S. Class of 2014

Loyalsock Township Vol. Fire Co.

Treasure Castle Playland

Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens

Woodlands Bank and Trust

Lycoming County Dairy Promotion

Brinser’s Landscaping

Division 6

Divsion Car – Patrick Eldridge

Williamson High School Marching Warriors

Citizens Fire Co. No. 2

James Rogers – Tractor

Cub Scout Pack #41

NuWeld Inc.

United Commercial Travelers

Williamsport Christian School

Superior Plus Energy

Lock Haven Girl Scout Troops

West Branch School

Division 7

Division Car – Kevin Snyder

Muncy Marching Band

Renovo Fire Company

James L. Bates – Tractor

Pitter Patter Day School

Jersey Shore State Bank

Marc Marzacco – Tractor and Jeep

Ghosts Under Investigation

Cooley Dance Company

Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church

Sons of Liberty 40/8 Club

Pepsi Beverages Company

Divison 8

Division Car – Steve Carl

1983 Buick Eagle Hearse

The Mantells

Swingin’ Saggin’ Seniors

Tiadaghton Forest Fire Fighters Assoc.

Minature Model T Truck & Barrel Train

Krieger Fence Company

Special Olympics of Lycoming County

Giant Grocery Stores

Nisbet Volunteer Fire Co.

Weichert Realtors Premier

Division 9

Division Car – Joe Pulizzi

Clear Channel Media

DuBoistown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 8

Sleep outside the box

Dunkin Donuts

Commonwealth Connections Academy

Straight – Up

Susquehannocks Four Wheelers

Dimon Divas 10U American Softball Team

Milissa Augustine Dance Academy

Division 10

Division Car – Nancy Pepperman

Backyard Broadcasting

Pennsdale Volunteer Fire Company

Whistle Stop Electric Train Show

Aquarius Pools and Patio

First United Methodist Church

The Life is Beautiful Project

Dirty Devils ATV Club

Penn Strategies

Stetts Sions

Marshals

Todd McCoy – Division 4

Jeff Pauling – Division 6

Keith Savage – Main & E. Mountain

Skip Krietz – Fleming & E. Mountain