Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the legendary film “The Wizard of Oz,” and Honorary Parade Grand Marshals, this year’s South Williamsport championship Little League Girl’s Softball Team, are the centerpieces of this year’s 74th South Williamsport Mummer’s Parade, which steps off at 2 p.m.

Several professional groups: Woodland String Band, Nittany Highland Bagpipe Band, and the North Trinidad Steel Drum Band bring their musical talents to help bring an interesting mix of music to the parade. As usual though, various area high school bands will also bring their talented array of musicians to help make the parade an enjoyable musical experience.

Last year in its inaugural appearance at the Mummers’ Parade the North Trinidad Steel Drum Band proved to be a particular hit with parade goers. No doubt they will please again.

Thousands of people will be lining the streets from Central Avenue to Clark Street and then along West Southern Avenue to Howard Street to take part in a decades long tradition. Whether you are along the street or participating in a watch party from a deck or patio, there will be many unique entertainment items that will catch your eye.

This year’s parade will be working along the theme of “The Wizard of OZ,” in celebration of the movie’s 80th anniversary of its release in 1939. The long-time family favorite, will provide ideas from character costumes, to floats and music selections from area high school bands! Even the parade’s logo cat and pumpkin will be sporting an Oz theme.

Leading the parade will the parade’s special guests and Honorary Grand Marshals, this year’s championship South Williamsport Little League Softball team, as a way of showing gratitude for all the thrills that the girls gave South Side fans and their many friends.

Step off for the parade is at 2 p.m. The parade starts at Central Avenue and Market Streets, goes west on Central and proceeds down Clark to Southern Avenue and goes east on Southern and ends at Howard Street.

The judges’ stand is located 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 in which to enjoy the afternoon.

According to Dori Rankinen, chair of the organizing committee of the South Williamsport Mummers’ Parade Committee, the committee has been working feverishly to solicit funds to provide the best parade possible for families to enjoy an economical day of fun! Corporate sponsors returning this year include the South Williamsport Borough, Southside Restaurant & Pizzeria, and the Moose Family Center, Lodge 384. They are excited to welcome The Waffenschmidt Law Firm, as well as Bailey’s Auto and Towing. It takes a healthy budget to put together an exciting event. On average, Rankinen said, the parade costs $12,000 to execute a day full of quality entertainment and exciting visual effects.

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 cheerleader 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! There will be a return of a historical entry at the end of the parade that many area citizens may remember from their childhood days so you won’t want to leave the parade early.