The streets of Williamsport will once again be filled with marching bands, various musical units, and lots of unique floats, and all 20 teams participating in this year’s Little League World Series when the annual Grand Slam Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 14.
This year’s parade is highlighted by the presence of 2005 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Ryne Sandberg, who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Parade. This event is an exciting and colorful way to kick off the excitement that is the Little League World Series.
Ryne Sandberg, better known as “Ryno,” began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 and, in one of the worst and lopsided trades in Phillies history, was traded along with Larry Bowa to the Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus. Sandberg became one of the National League’s most outstanding infielders and hit well in the bargain. He won the Silver Slugger Award seven times — the most by any second basemen, proving his proficiency with a bat. He was a sparkplug on the Cubs playoff team of 1984. He led the National League in homers with 40 in 1990. He finished with a lifetime batting average of .285, an OPS of .795, and 1061 RBIs. He had his uniform number retired by the Chicago Cubs.
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.
Numerous community and church groups and businesses will also have special, decorated floats to help brighten up the parade.
Pre-parade festivities will begin at 4 p.m. in downtown Williamsport, with various food and craft merchants plying their various wares. Visiting these vendors is a great way to pass the time before the parade starts.
The parade route begins at Susquehanna and West Fourth Street and continues east on Fourth Street through the Historic District and into the downtown before ending at the intersection of Market and West Fourth Streets.
The parade will be televised on WNEP. WNEP will be set up in various locations along the parade route.
Speaking of WNEP, Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce told them, “It is our opportunity to say congratulations to the teams for making it here, welcome to the families and friends following these teams, and to give everyone that warm welcome we tend to give when they come for the world series,”
Note that in accordance with 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 refrain from going into the path of the parade as it progresses along the street. Bicyclists, skateboarders, and others in the street during the time of the parade will be removed as a safety precaution for themselves and others enjoying the parade. This is being done in conjunction with local and state authorities to ensure an enjoyable event for all.
