MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Members of the Montoursville Area High School Marching Band perform during the Mummers Parade in South Williamsport in 2022.

This year marks the 76th South Williamsport Mummers Day Parade. The theme for this year’s event is “Movie Magic.” Participants are requested to get creative in order to bring big screen magic to the streets of South Williamsport this year.

This year’s parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday Oct 21. on Central Avenue in South Williamsport.

A mummer, according to Dori Rankenin, parade coordinator, is “anyone who dresses up and parades down the street.” Sometimes the mummers who participate in the annual Philadelphia Mummers Day Parade will come up to South Williamsport to parade, she said.

“We have some circus performers returning from last year,” shared Rankinen. “There are plans to have a magician, unicycler and juggler this year. It’s free family fun. We also have school bands from around the area to perform and live entertainment performances,” she added.

There are 10 divisions in this year’s parade, and South Williamsport, Williamsport, Montoursville and Muncy high school marching bands will perform. In division two of the parade, Doc and Gregie will perform their “anti-acoustic” rock. Later in the parade, the band Trip the Light will perform on a float, Rankinen told the Sun-Gazette.

This year there will also be two concession vendors selling refreshments to parade goers. Taylor’s Concessions will be located across from the CVS. St. Lawrence Catholic Church will also be selling refreshments on the sidewalk in front of the church. Rankinen shared that there will be members of the Montoursville Lions Club selling water yo-yos to raise money for Christmas gifts to be given to children in need at each concession location.

Now that the organization of the parade has been finalized, “all we can do now is pray for good weather and a fun event,” Rankinen said.