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16th Grand Slam Parade Slated for Monday Aug. 15

Hall of Fame Pitcher Mariano Rivera as Grand Marshal

A Little League umpire. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette cheers with the fans from Australia during the Grand Slam Parade.

The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau is encouraging the community to come out as we welcome the 20 Little League World Series teams and their families here for the 75th Little League World Series to Williamsport on Monday, August 15 with our 16th Grand Slam Parade. Activities in the downtown involving the parade festivities with vendors will begin at 4:00 p.m. and the parade stepping off at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s parade Grand Marshal is former New York Yankees and Hall of Fame Pitcher, Mariano Rivera. His appearance in the parade is being sponsored by the Lycoming Engines.

The parade will also be broadcast live on WYOU TV-22, the local CBS affiliate. WYOU will be set-up in various locations along the parade route.

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

There will once again be a collectable parade pin. The pin will be of the 2022 parade logo with the parade pin sponsor’s logo incorporated onto it. Pepsi Bottling Company of Williamsport has come forward for the ninth 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 Tuesday after the parade. They will also be available at local Weis Markets.

Wegmans, Energy Transfer Partners and SPARTONICS 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 8 high school bands from Lycoming County will be in it along with bands Sullivan County and Central Mountain.

The parade route begins at the intersection of Susquehanna and West Fourth Streets and proceeds east through the historic district finishing in downtown Williamsport at the intersection of Market and West Fourth Streets.

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, Deb White, Michael Seitzer and Lieutenant Dave Pletz.

The sponsors who help underwrite in bringing this event to the community are Official Health Care Sponsor: UPMC; Mariano Rivera – Hall of Fame Sponsor: Lycoming Engines; Home Run Sponsor – Liberty Group; Parade Pin Sponsor: Pepsi Bottling of Williamsport; High School Band Sponsor: Wegmans, Energy Transfer Partners and SPARTRONICS; Float Safety Sponsors: PPL; Award Sponsors: Allison Crane and Rigging, Weis Markets, Muncy Bank, Chesapeake and Hamilton Patriot; Entertainment Sponsors: ESS, Highmark, and Waste Management; Float Sponsors: Giant Food Stores, EQT, Lycoming College, Stallion, Jersey Shore State Bank, Pennsylvania General Energy, Stroehmann’s, T-Mobile, Ciocca Dealerships, Coastal Chemical, HRI, Southwestern Energy, Keystone Advertising/Harder’s Sporting Goods, Cotera, FNB Bank, Doing Better Business, First Commonwealth Bank, Zartman Construction, Covia and Genetti Hotel; Division Sponsors: Pennsylvania College of Technology, Seneca Resources, Range Resources, AmeriHealth, Chemstream, Clearview, Coastal Chemical, Cummins Sales & Service, Sun Gazette, Truist and Contrast Communication; T-shirt Sponsor: M&T Bank.

We have a great line-up of music for this year’s parade in addition to the area high school bands. It includes the Aqua String Band from Philadelphia, along with local favorites including the Billtown Blues and Repasz Band. There will also be many dance performers and floats to round out the parade.

Note that in accordance with safety 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 not right or is concerning to them, they should say something to the law enforcement personnel that will be all along the parade route. Also all spectators should refrain from going into the path of the parade as it processes along the street. Bicyclists, skateboarders and others in the street during the time of the parade will be removed as a safety precaution for themselves and others enjoying the parade. This is being done in concert with local and state authorities to ensure an enjoyable event for all.

“We’ve not had the opportunity to have the parade since 2019 and are very excited to have it back to lead off this year’s 75th Little League World Series. There is so much excitement built around this year’s World Series including 4 new teams joining this year’s tournament. We’re happy to have the Grand Slam Parade kick it all off. It is great to see the hard work of all of the volunteers who help in planning this parade to those that put the time and effort in building floats and providing entertainment for the event. This truly is Williamsport and Lycoming County coming together to help in providing a high energy welcome to all of the players, coaches, families and Little League fans as they get ready for the tournament. A great thank you to all our sponsors who help in providing us the resources to produce this event each year. Our organization is proud to be able to provide this to the community in helping to welcome those here to enjoy the Little League World Series.” stated Jason Fink, President/CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

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