Williamsport welcomes the world in first event since 2019
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Little League World Series teams from Japan and Canada, above, pose together for excited area residents.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Former MLB player Rickey Henderson, center, signs a young baseball fan’s poster.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lydia Jasper, of South Williamsport, does pull-ups at the Army recruiting tent.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Employees of the Hatchet House toss demonstrate how to throw hatchets to a crowd.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Little League World Series teams from Japan and Canada, above, pose together for excited area residents.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Former MLB player Rickey Henderson, center, signs a young baseball fan’s poster.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Lydia Jasper, of South Williamsport, does pull-ups at the Army recruiting tent.
SETH NOLAN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Employees of the Hatchet House toss demonstrate how to throw hatchets to a crowd.
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Area residents and Little League World Series guests united around celebrating the first Williamsport Welcomes the World event since 2019.
The 12th annual event was expected to be the largest, said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce. Over 20,000 people participated in the 2019 event, according to the Little League World Series.
The event showcases Williamsport's downtown businesses and local creative community. Shops of all kinds were set up all along West Fourth Street.
Plankenhorn Stationary has been at a prime location to celebrate the event every single year it has been held.
"We've been here at this location since 1909," Chip Plankenhorn said. "It's always great to see this many people downtown."
The event allows people to see a different aspect of downtown Williamsport, even if they're from here, Plankenhorn said.
"Many people usually just drive through," he said. "This gives them the opportunity to walk into places they normally wouldn't or haven't."
A line of eager baseball fans wrapped around the chamber building to see retired MLB player Rickey Henderson. Ten time American League All-star, Henderson ranks first all-time in runs scored and first all-time in stolen bases.
Lydia Jasper, of South Williamsport, had just arrived with her family and was already excited to see so many people there.
"I'm most excited to see the players," she said. Lydia was at the Army Recruiting tent doing pull-ups before heading into the main crowd.
A large part of any downtown event is the Williamsport Bureau of Fire engine, parked near the intersection of Hepburn and West Fourth streets.
"I think these events are fun, and it's important to get out into the public," firefighter Matt Swartz said. "It's important to educate the public about stuff that isn't as well-known about our job."
The fire engine is always a favorite attraction for the young kids at downtown events.
"For me, that's the best part," engineer Chris Berninger said. "We share in their excitement for sure."
For teams of the Little League World Series, this event is a chance to meet and spend time with other teams and players. The Japanese and Canadian teams were enjoying much of the event together.