The streets of South Williamsport last night were turned into a hilarious turmoil when 14 bands, marching units and drum and bugle corps passed in review in the sixth annual South Williamsport Mummers Parade.

More than 500 individual Mummers joined in having, fun, laughing and doing stunts along the line of the parade route. Spectators lined both sides of Central Avenue, Clark Street and West Southern Avenue to witness the largest parade of its type in central Pennsylvania.

The innovation this year was the large number of hot coffee and hot dog stands along the line of march. For the first time an hour before the parade was scheduled to move until long after the parade had passed, people crowded around the food stands in an effort to get something warm.

Along the borough streets people dressed in about every type of clothing known. In some instances spectators placed newspapers under blankets on the ground for children to sit until the divisions passed.

The temperature dropped to about 47 degrees, which was more comfortable than in previous years. Last year during the event the temperature dropped to near freezing.

Members of the Mummers Association after completing the tour along the line of march, estimated that 25,000 either watched or took part in the annual affair.

Special police were kept busy throughout the parade keeping spectators back to the curb and safe for the bands, floats and drum and bugle corps spread across the full width of the street.

More than 100 cash prizes were awarded to individual Mummers in the parade by judges, who were on the street in front of the judges’ stand.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.