A new start time and a slightly shorter parade route are among the changes to the always highly anticipated Annual Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday, August 13. Instead of the parade beginning at 5:30 p.m., it will begin at 5 p.m., and instead of the parade starting at Susquehanna Street and West Fourth Street, it will now begin at Maynard and West Fourth streets. These changes were done in large part to enhance the safety of parade participants and spectators.
Often, in the past, the parade would not end until after dark, which could compromise safety. Also, it enables the Little League World Series teams in the parade to return to the Little League complex earlier so that they might better rest up for the next day’s games.
The Grand Slam Parade will be further highlighted with the presence of Hall of Fame Pitcher Jack Morris, who serves as Grand Marshall of the Parade.
Morris is a five-time All-Star who saw play in three World Series, 1984, 1991, and 1992, with the Detroit Tigers (1984), Minnesota Twins (1991), and Toronto Blue Jays (1992). He is probably best known for his gritty performance in the epic Game Seven of the 1991 World Series, where he pitched the Twins to a World Championship over the Atlanta Braves. He was the Most Valuable Player of that year’s Fall Classic.
He won 254 games, and his pitching arsenal consisted of a slider, a fastball, and a forkball. He pitched a no-hitter on April 7, 1984, against the Chicago White Sox, as seen by a national audience on NBC’s Game of the Week.
The Veterans Committee elected him to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Morris will be featured at the next day’s Grand Slam Breakfast at the Genetti Hotel. The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau also invites the public to join them as they mark the Little League World Series opening with the annual Grand Slam Breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on August 14. Morris will speak there and answer questions.
Previous Parade Grand Marshals include Carlton Fisk, Gaylord Perry, Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Lou Brock, Andre Dawson, Goose Gossage, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Johnny Bench, and Mariano Rivera, just to name a few.
The Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and the City of Williamsport will again present “Williamsport Welcomes the World” in downtown Williamsport on Friday, August 23. An appearance by Hall of Fame Atlanta Brave pitcher Tom Glavine highlights that event.
Numerous community and church groups and businesses will also have unique, decorated floats to help brighten up the parade.
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.
Pre-parade festivities will begin at 4 p.m. in downtown Williamsport, with various food and craft merchants plying their multiple wares. Visiting these vendors is a great way to pass the time before the parade starts.
There will be a great line-up of music for this year’s parade 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.
The parade 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 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.
Note that by 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. Also, all spectators should avoid entering the parade path as it progresses along the street. Bicyclists, skateboarders, and others in the street during the parade will be removed as a safety precaution for themselves and others enjoying the parade. This is being done with local and state authorities to ensure an enjoyable event for all.
