MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Gianna Sciacca, 9, daughter of Lyndsay Cannon and James Sciacca of South Williamsport tries to mount a transformer switch with linemen’s gloves.

Williamsport Welcomed the World to a bustling downtown environment Friday night, providing an outlet for the community and baseball fans to enjoy street festivities in the absence of general-admission spectators at the Little League World Series.

The environment made a comeback with renewed energy, according to Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport Chamber of Commerce.

“There were people who were disappointed last year,” Fink said. “It is awesome to be able to celebrate the World Series again.”

The festival brought plenty of food vendors and artisan stands to West Fourth Street, allowing visitors and locals to eat food, meet new people and enjoy the waning summer sun.

Tim Raines, 2017 National Baseball Hall of Fame Left Fielder and top 5 all-time base stealer, sat under a tent in front of the Lycoming County Visitors’ Bureau and signed photographs of himself. Despite the fact he was scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., he stayed a half-hour extra to sign memorabilia and chat with fans.

“It’s my first time coming here,” Raines said. “I didn’t play uniformed Little League, but I’ve always been a big fan. I’ve always wanted to come.”

Raines praised the international nature of the World Series in regular years, and lamented the fact that teams from other teams were not able to come.

“But at least we got a United States championship. Hopefully we will get back to normal next year,” Raines said.

Although plenty of locals came out to the city’s downtown to experience the streetfest, plenty of out-of-towners visited as well.

Shawn Probst, of Pine Hills, New Jersey, has been collecting Hall-of-Famer memorabilia since he was 12. He came out to see Raines and New York Yankee and Hall of Fame Right Fielder Reggie Jackson for signings and photos.

“[Williamsport] is awesome. Everything is open. I met four or five good people. You can never have enough friends,” Probst said of the city.

Rick Strous, of Old Lycoming, said although there are no spectators at the World Series, the event drew a decent crowd.

“At least it’s better than deserted streets!” Strous said.

Welcome to Williamsport also featured live music, courtesy of the South Williamsport Mountie Marching Band and the Jersey Shore High School Marching Band, among others.

Jayden Capindica, 14, of New Jersey, played in the 2019 Little League World Series, and visited Williamsport in his uniform two years after he played in the World Series.

“It’s fun remembering everything,” Capindica said. “It’s fun when people recognize you and want to take pictures.”

Food vendors such as Brusters’, Backyard Bistro, Taco Bills, BBQ Inferno, Lewisburg Freeze, and a variety of others set up shop in parking lots adjacent to West Fourth Street.

Meanwhile, other grounds offered recreational activities. Hatchet throwing and baseball pitch speed tests were also featured. Meanwhile, religious groups offered messages of hope and goodwill, and encouraged attendees to visit their congregations.

The Hulk Strong Foundation, a Jersey Shore local effort that stepped up to give back after the community came together to help now 8-year-old Phito DeCapria, made an appearance with the green-painted Incredible Hulk. The muscle-bound Nick DeCapria wore green paint and purple shorts as he posed with passersby to raise money to combat childhood cancer.

“It’s definitely good to have people back and celebrating our community,” Fink said. “Even better, it is not only locals. Hopefully we can get back to some semblance of what we had before the pandemic.”