Thousands of eager on-lookers will line the streets of South Williamsport this Saturday to take in the sights, sounds and treats provided by the 73rd annual South Williamsport Mummers’ Parade. For young and old alike this community tradition is both anticipated and appreciated.

For retiring South Williamsport Borough Police Chief Robert ‘Bob’ Hetner, the parade has been a part of his DNA since his high school days. Hetner is a product of the South Williamsport school system and taught at the high school for nine years before serving 30 years as a teacher in the East Lycoming School District that included duties as a school police officer. A part-time member of the South Williamsport police force since 1981, he has served as the Borough’s police chief since 2012. He will officially be retiring from that post on October 31.

Leading up to the Mummers’ Parade, and his anticipated retirement Hetner took the time to share his thoughts about the long-standing parade with Webb Weekly.

“I started involvement with the Mummers’ Parade back when I was in high school. Back then the high school classes at South Williamsport entered class floats in the parade. It was very competitive between the classes to see which class could win first prize. The whole month of October was spent with class members working on their parade float entry. I remember one year I was the witch doctor on our class float and danced around in front of the judge’s stand.

“At that time the Mummers’ Parade was held at nighttime, and it had a different atmosphere about it. People really enjoyed that, and many people have often said they’d like to go back and see the parade held at night again because it did have that special flavor to it. There are arguments to be had for considering that again, but there are also the safety issues that are involved.

“For many years I’ve been involved with the Mummers’ folks as a police officer helping to coordinate activities. You don’t like to see traditions die, so I also hope this parade will continue and am thankful there have been a nucleus of people that have been keeping that tradition alive. Many people have certainly enjoyed it and look forward to this parade every year.

“Every community needs to have things that they can identify with and are unique to their own community. People in this area have grown up with this parade, and like other traditions that exist, you see people come back on a regular basis to spend time with their families and set up their viewing spot along the parade route. Just the opportunity to get together and to spend some family time, which is something that we know has been lost in many respects. That is why traditions are important. It gives us more time for people to be together. Hopefully, as kids see this parade, they can be motivated to keep these traditions alive as they become adults themselves.

“When I was contemplating retirement, that was one of those things I considered. You would kind of like to end of a high note. It’s always been fun handing out candy to the kids, and I’ll be honest with you, I eat my share of the candy. Halloween is a good follow-up to the Mummers’ Parade, and I did want to finish up my last year by seeing some of these things that have been important special events to South Williamsport. I did want to finish up with one more Little League World Series, 911 motorcycle event that comes through the Borough, the Mummers’ Parade and Halloween night festivities.”

As for the future, Hetner is looking forward to a much slower pace.

“I’m just going to take a little time and sit back and relax. There is a lot of stress in dealing with the issues involved in police work. It will be good just to relax, unwind, and take some time and see what it feels like to not have the phone ring at all hours of the night and have to deal with a particular issue that has developed.

“I have always considered it an honor to wear the badge and have appreciated the trust that people have placed in me throughout my career. That trust has always meant a lot to me.”