Steps Off Saturday, October 21 at 2 P.M.
South Williamsport’s streets will be filled with the excitement and the sound of bands, parade participants, and parade goers when the annual South Williamsport Mummers’ Parade steps off at 2 p.m. this Saturday, October 21.
For more than 75 years, this always highly anticipated parade has been an integral part of the fall events in northcentral Pennsylvania.
“The theme of this year’s parade is “A Night at the Movies;” we have had a wonderful group of characters from the “Star Wars” Galaxy joining us to share their amazing costumes. They frequently do volunteer events to brighten the day of an ill child in the hospital,” Dori Rankinen, chair of the parade committee, told Webb Weekly.
There will be lots of music at the parade, according to Rankinen. There will be five local high school bands and cheerleading groups participating.
Unfortunately, this year, they won’t have a bedazzled, feathered string band! The Woodlands String Band was slated to perform; however, a festival that they were scheduled for in April was rained out and rescheduled to October 21, 2023, in Hoboken, NJ. So, they are performing at the East Coast String Band Festival.
The Pennsdale Haunted Barn will also join the parade for spooky parade entertainment. There will even be an Elvis impersonator who, we hear, loves to do selfies with people and will come to events that you might need some unique entertainment for, such as retirement parties, birthdays, and fairs.
There are several car groups this year that are new. The PA Street Assassins and PA Terrain Search and Rescue have submitted entries.
There will also be a return visit from the circus performers of last year. So, expect to see some awesome juggling, magic, and unicycling entertainment.
“As always, there will be lots of candy thrown by parade participant groups. Please realize that these groups spend upwards of $600 to provide candy to spectators. With the way the economy is this year, we’d like you all to be grateful and thank them for their willingness to continue a decade-old tradition,” stated Rankinen.
According to the long-range weather forecast, the weather looks cloudy but dry, with a high of 56 degrees, so bring a jacket or a blanket to keep you warm. As always, bring your smile and loudest cheers because a lot of folks have worked very hard to provide this free, family-friendly entertainment day for the community.
The judges’ stand is across from the CVS plaza, where bleachers will be available for spectators. Officially, the parade disbands at Howard St., so there are many optimal viewing spots along the parade route to enjoy the afternoon.
Rankinen said the Mummers’ Parade has always been a family-friendly event for South Williamsport and the surrounding communities. There is nothing more exciting than to hear neighbors planning cookouts and gatherings for friends and family along the parade route. Music from the local high school bands and cheers from the various cheerleading squads mingle with the occasional fire truck siren as the afternoon progresses, as well as a few unique floats, zombies, and a witch or two.
The parade will begin on East Central Ave. and proceed west to Clark St. It will turn right and the right again on to West Southern Ave. and finish at Howard St.
“We’d like to thank our generous title sponsors, Muncy Bank & Trust, Geisinger, and South Williamsport Borough, for supporting this year’s parade,” Rankinen said.
