SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT -- The Little League teams competing in the World Series in Lycoming County got a day off today.
So with nothing scheduled at fields in South Williamsport, people across the river in Bill-town decided to give them something to do.
People packed onto West Fourth Street, browsing stands where vendors sold goods and good foods as a block party was in full swing.
This is the third annual Street Festival in Williamsport held each year during the Little League World Series as a way to draw baseball fans to Bill-town.
For both locals and visitors, this event is a grand slam for everyone.
“It’s really good, it brings people to downtown,” said Chris Dickey of Williamsport. “It shows the different shops, stores, a lot of things are coming back into the city.”
“It`s really nice. You get all the food vendors and all the vendors that are selling everything, and all the downtown merchants, it`s nice,” said Derek Haskins who brought his two sons in from Nashville to support the team from their home state of Tennessee.
Little League International set Friday aside as a rain date so no games were scheduled at the fields.
Bonnie Katz is one of the festival’s organizers and said the day off was a perfect opportunity to welcome folks to Williamsport.
“We really thrilled, the merchants are thrilled because with Little League they`re all over in South Williamsport and this brings the people into our city on this side of the river to see what we have to offer, along with the parade,” said Katz.
Jeremy Lynch is here to root for his younger brother who is playing with the team from Oregon.
“It`s a one in a lifetime, not just for them but like for me, I get to come to Williamsport, something I didn`t get to do when I was playing,” said Lynch.
Mom Michele Lynch says this block party is a good way to blow off steam from the high pressure games.
“Oh yeah, this is nice and relaxing. it`s just a nice place for them to come out and hang out,” said Lynch. While vendors and businesses are trying to make a little extra money, organizers say all the games and entertainment are free, as the goal is to make this a family fun event.
And after a day off for a little horsing around, it`s back to baseball business Saturday, the bats will be swinging again in South Williamsport.