An appearance by baseball Hall-of Famer, Rickey Henderson is the highlight of the annual Williamsport Welcomes the World celebration to be held in downtown Williamsport on Friday, August 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. In addition to an appearance by Henderson, the event will also feature a wide variety of food vendors, kid zones and live music. In 2019 more than 20,000 people participated in the event.
This event is held each year to showcase the downtown of Williamsport to the thousands of fans from throughout the world who come to the annual Little League World Series. It is a great opportunity for downtown businesses to showcase all they have to offer to a wider audience, which is a big reason the event is sponsored by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Bureau. The event occurs on what is normally an off day for the Little League World Series.
This is one of the standout events in our area. It is a great opportunity to celebrate the LLWS, while also supporting local businesses. Be sure to stop out and visit with your community members, and patronize local small businesses. Crafts, to food, to everything you can think of — there will be a wide variety of vendors to shop and visit.
Barring unforeseen weather make-ups, this day is generally a scheduled off day for the Series, so it’s the perfect opportunity to head out and see what’s happening downtown!
Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is widely regarded as baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. He holds the major league records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff home runs. At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time American League (AL) All-Star ranked among the sport’s top 100 all-time home run hitters and was its all-time leader in walks. In 2009, he was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times. His 1,406 career steals is 50 percent higher than the previous record of 938 by Lou Brock. Henderson is the all-time stolen base leader for the Oakland Athletics and previously held the New York Yankees’ franchise record from 1988 to 2011. He was among the league’s top ten base stealers in 21 different seasons. Henderson was named the AL’s Most Valuable Player in 1990, and he was the lead-off hitter for two World Series champions: the 1989 Oakland Athletics and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. A 12-time stolen base champion, Henderson led the league in runs five times. His 25-year career elevated Henderson to the top ten in several other categories, including career at-bats, games, and outfield putouts and total chances. His high on-base percentage, power hitting, and stolen base and run totals made him one of the most dynamic players of his era.
