MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Players from teh Latin America team greet crowds during the Little League Grand Slam Parade in 2019.

Anticipation is building for the 18th Grand Slam Parade, which is slated to step-off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, in Williamsport, the day before the 77th annual Little League World Series begins.

The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau is encouraging the community to come out and wanted people to note the hour earlier difference than prior parades along with the different starting point.

The parade route begins at the intersection of Maynard and West Fourth Streets and proceeds east through the historic district finishing in downtown Williamsport at the intersection of Market and West Fourth streets, making it about a quarter of a mile shorter than in the past.

“We are excited to once again be welcoming the world to Williamsport for the annual Little League World Series with the Grand Slam Parade that kicks off the festivities in our community,” said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

“The parade is a great opportunity to come together and show our pride in being the home and birthplace of Little League Baseball. It’s our time to welcome these players, coaches and their families who are coming here from across the globe. We’ve got another great line-up to do this with great bands, dance groups and float entries to celebrate the start of tournament play. Everyone is strongly encouraged to take note of the changes that have been made to this year’s parade and plan accordingly. We look forward to seeing everyone along the parade route.”

“In 2023, the parade had over 3,500 participants and an audience of over 40,000 people,” according to the chamber website.

This year’s parade Grand Marshal is former Detroit Tigers and Hall of Fame pitcher, Jack Morris. His appearance in the parade is sponsored by Lycoming Engines. Coming to join the city for Williamsport Welcomes the World on August 23 will be Atlanta Braves and Hall of Fame pitcher, Tom Glavine. Tom’s appearance is sponsored through the support of UPMC, UPMC Health Plan, Miele Manufacturing, West Pharmaceuticals, Energy Transfer Partners, Highmark, Liberty Arena and Pepsi.

The parade featuring the 20 teams will be broadcast live on WNEP TV-16, the local ABC affiliate. WNEP will be set-up in various locations along the parade route. This year’s broadcast team will be Lisa Washington and Scott Schaffer with WNEP and being joined this year by Gabe Sinicropi, vice president of marketing from the Williamsport Crosscutters. Providing team interviews will be Courtney Harrison and Steve Lloyd from WNEP and new this year for live sponsor interviews will be Jake Michaels from WBZD.

UPMC has continued its support of the parade as this year’s official healthcare sponsor for the Grand Slam Parade. They will be working with the parade planners in helping to address all health needs that may arise to those participating in this year’s event.

Joining them to assist with the parade broadcast coverage is Horizon Federal Credit Union. Horizon is stepping in to play a major role in helping the parade continue with its televised broadcast efforts to those unable to attend the event.

There will once again be a collectable parade pin. The pin will be of the 2024 parade logo with the parade pin sponsor’s logo incorporated onto it. Pepsi Bottling Company of Williamsport has come forward for the tenth straight year as pin sponsor. A limited number of pins will be available. As with last year, they will be available at various businesses the Wednesday after the parade. They will also be available at local Weis Markets.

Wegmans and Energy Transfer Partners are stepping forward in their support of the parade with help to cover the costs for bringing the local high school bands to the parade. This year all eight high school bands from Lycoming County will be in it along with bands from neighboring Central Mountain.

This year’s planning committee for the Grand Slam Parade is Carole Smith, Dwain English, Chip Plankenhorn, Jeanette Kirkpatrick, Lou Hunsinger, Jr., Heather Reuther, Dave Frey, Ryan Raplee, Jordan Gephart, and Stacy Thompson.

The sponsors who help underwrite in bringing this event to the community are Official Healthcare Sponsor: UPMC; Broadcast TV Partner: Horizon Federal Credit Union, Jack Morris – Hall of Fame Sponsor: Lycoming Engines; Parade Pin Sponsor: Pepsi Bottling of Williamsport; High School Band Sponsors: Energy Transfer Partners, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Wegmans and Genetti Hotel; Float Safety Sponsor: PPL and LCBC Church; Award Sponsors: Stallion, Hamilton Patriot, T-Ross Brothers, Weis Markets, Coterra Energy and Journey Bank; Entertainment Sponsors: AmericaPA250, Highmark and Waste Management; Float Sponsors: Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, EQT, First National Bank, Enhesa, Giant Food Stores, HRI, Jersey Shore State Bank, Keystone Advertising/Harder’s, Lycoming College, Pennsylvania General Energy, Premier Tech, Renewal by Andersen, River Valley Internet, Southwestern, Stroehmann’s, U-haul, United Rentals, First Commonwealth Bank, SHARP Electronics & Doing Better Business Inc., and Zartman Construction; Division Sponsors: Bakers Waterproofing, Chartwell Hotels, Clearview Asset Protection, Independent Fire Company #1, NESCO Resources, Pennsylvania College of Technology, PALCO FCU, Range Resources, Seneca Resources, Student Transportation of America, Sun-Gazette, Truist, Make Art Supplies and Securitas Security; T-shirt Sponsor: M&T Bank.

The parade has a large line-up of music in addition to the area high school bands. It includes the Woodland String Band from Philadelphia, along with local favorites including Epic Percussion and Repasz Band. There will also be many dance performers and floats to round out the parade.

Note that in accordance with procedures to serve the safety of all participants and those spectators enjoying the parade, bags or items of any kind are not permitted to be given to the players on any of the Little League team floats.

Spectators are encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings at the event. If they see something concerning, they should say something to law enforcement personnel who will be all along the parade route.

All spectators should also refrain from going into the path of the parade as it proceeds along the street.