WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Thousands of people go to downtown Williamsport every year to visit the many different stands and businesses at Williamsport Welcomes the World. It's a big get-together where the community can have a ball before the Little League World Series championship weekend.
"All the food vendors, all the craft vendors, all of the other activities, we got a great kids zone, a lot of free activities there for kids to take advantage of live music—we got the uptown music collective along with other groups that will be performing," said Jason Fink, Williamsport Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce President CEO.
Jason Fink, the CEO of the Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, says the organization started Williamsport Welcomes the World 14 years ago to thank everyone who came to the area for the Little League World Series.
"But the fact that we wanted to really say hey, this is something that we all as a community appreciate, and this is how we want to show our appreciation."
Debi Burch, the president of Lycoming Arts, says the festival is similar to the city's First Friday event but even bigger.
"For us, this is that on a grander scale, people are down here, they're walking around, they're coming in from all over, you know, there's a lot of people that come back every year."
Barbara Miele owns Gustonian Gifts. She says she's seen and met many nice people from out of town during the giant block party over the years.
"It's so nice to see everybody having a good time, the food vendors, and all of the other people—local people have a chance to participate. We actually have over 80 artists that are based in here, so, but it's a good fun time."
The Little League Baseball World Series United States final is on Saturday, and the final championship game is on Sunday.