Williamsport to Host Little League Block Party

WILLIAMSPORT -- A block party for the world, and local residents, in a four block area of downtown Williamsport.

“This is another team effort for the city of Williamsport,” said Mayor Gabe Campana, announcing the Aug. 27 event designed to “welcome the world to Williamsport” during the 2010 Little League Worlds Series this summer.

And indeed it seems to be a cohesive tean effort, as a number of area businesses and organizations work together to throw a block party that will show the world Williamsport has to offer.

The “block party” along West Fourth Street will feature two entertainment stages, vendors, and lots of activities for families. There will be games for kids, a bounce house, a fish pond, a baseball throw, and possibly even carnival rides for small children.

“We wanted to create a family event,”  Campana said. The father of five, Campana says the idea came up when he was talking with his family. “We thought it would be nice to have another event (during Little league). The parade is great, they do a great job,” he says, “But we thought we should create a great family fun event for residents and visitors…something really concentrating on families.”

The event has an international theme, with each block along West Fourth Street representing different countries, similar to the Little League teams.

Jason Fink, Executive Vice-President of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, which is co-sponsoring the event, says the country theme will be an easy one for the downtown area.

“We already have some international themes with the restaurants in downtown,” says Fink.

And those restaurants, as well as the local businesses are being encouraged to join in the festivities with sidewalk displays and sales.

The Mayor, made it clear, however, that they will not be selling alcohol on the streets.

“The open container law will be in effect. This is not a Mardi Gras type event,” he stressed. “This is a family event.”

Fink hopes it will keep visitors in town on what is traditionally the Little League “off” day –  a day when there are no games scheduled.

“What we find is that a number of people head out of town that day—take a trip to Hershey.” Fink hopes this will give people the incentive to stay in town.

 Also in keeping with the spirit of Little League, merchants will be distributing a city pin, suitable for trading. The pin features the new logo for the event, created Impact Advertising. The logo will also be featured on banners throughout the downtown area. The Chamber and the Visitors Bureau will pick up the tab for the pins and banners, as well as some “other incidentals.”

There will be two stages, one at the Lamar Advertising lot on the corner of Market Street and West Fourth, and one in the FNB parking lot. A number of performers have already been lined up, including the Repasz Band, Frank Fedele, and performances from The Uptown Music Collective, but the Mayor says they can accommodate more if anyone is interested.

In addition to the music performances, there will be Zumba dancers and performances from local dance studios.

And there will be massages available.

Campana says they hope to make this an annual event. “We want to give visitors another place to go.”

The party will run from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., along West Fourth Street between Market and William Street. The area will be closed to between Market and William streets, and West Edwin And West Willow Streets starting at around 3 p.m.