The 17th Annual Grand Slam Parade is the kick-off to the 76th Annual Little League World Series®. We appreciate your interest in being part of it! The parade will be on Monday August 14, 2023 and will step off at 5:30PM with the Public Officials Division. Please read the following guidelines before applying to participate in the 2023 Grand Slam Parade.
OUR MISSION is to serve as the Williamsport and Lycoming County welcome to the players, families and visitors for the Little League World Series®. We encourage you to design your parade entry based on the celebration of Little League Baseball®. Ideas can include the local league influence here in the community; regional influences from the different parts of the United States; the international cultures reflective of the various nations that participate in Little League®. The brighter and more festive you are, the more you will be noticed. The following guidelines have been developed and are meant to support our mission and at the same time minimize risk of injury to parade participants and onlookers. In 2022, we had over 3,500 participants in the Parade and an audience of over 40,000 people.

The Grand Slam Parade is to celebrate the start of the annual Little League World Series® and welcome the 20 tournament teams to our community. Because of the great interest in the event, we are unable to accommodate all that wish to participate with an entry into the parade. To aide in determining the best representatives for this event, all entries go through an application and evaluation process associated with the below criteria. Preference is given to past participants but it is not a guarantee of acceptance into the parade. The parade planning committee has a predetermined set of slots for each division of the parade. Once the parade is full, no entries will be considered. It is the objective of the parade planning committee to keep the parade to a 2 1/2 -hour entertainment event.

Your float, vehicle or other parade unit must be decorated. The parade will be televised and promoted with our broadcast partner WNEP-TV and their affiliated stations throughout the US. Certain entrants will be eligible in certain categories to be judged for prizes and awards.

POLITICS. Banners, brochures, signs, songs, etc. that advocate political candidates, causes and issues are not permitted.

NOTHING CAN BE TOSSED OR THROWN FROM THE STREET INTO THE CROWD. Candy and trinkets that fall on the streets attract children onto the street, often in front of floats, horses, cyclists, etc. This is by far the most frequent violation of guidelines. It seems so harmless, but we've had some “near misses,” and you will be responsible for any injuries that result. If you want to distribute candy, stickers, small trinkets, etc., - which we discourage but do not forbid - this must be done by walking beside the curb to distribute. As group leader you must inform everyone in your entry about these guidelines.

ANIMALS. Groups with horses must include appropriate clean-up crews, because there will be many Paraders walking behind you. We will provide an off-site location for unloading trailers. All dogs must be leashed; there is a lot of commotion all around, and animals can become alarmed.

DRIVER'S INSTRUCTIONS. You are responsible for communicating all information to those participating in your unit. Please remind your drivers to be vigilant about their start times and follow instructions given by the Parade staff without argument.

ENTRY AIDES. A minimum of six walkers must accompany (eight recommended) each float entry during the entire parade route as protection for your group and vehicle/float to prevent injury to children and adults lining the streets.

TELEVISION. Do not stop in front of the television cameras stationed along the parade route unless otherwise directed. All interviews for the parade by the television crew will be done in the parade staging area prior to parade step-off. All entertainment must be done in a forward moving activity. There is no review stand for this parade.

FLOAT JUDGING. Judging of parade floats will be conducted by judges located at various, undisclosed locations along the parade route. There will be no review stand.

JUDGING CATEGORIES. For profit business - Small employer (less than 50 employees)—For profit business - Mid and large employer (50 and greater employees)—Non profit organization & Service clubs

JUDGING CRITERIA. Workmanship - A. Originality 10 points max; B. Quality of Work 10 points max—Design - A. Originality 10 points max; B. Durability 10 points max; C. Animation 10 points max—General Effect - 10 points max—Identifiable Theme - 80 points max—Costume and Casting - 10 points max—Total Possible Points - 150 points

AWARDS. Grand Prize Winner: Trophy with organization name awarded for the best overall entry for all categories being judged.—First Prize for Each Business Category: Trophy—First Prize for Non profit organization and Service clubs Category: $500—Grand Slam Award: Trophy presented to the entry which best personifies a spirit of dedication, ingenuity, originality, and enthusiasm and brings the greatest pleasure to and response from the spectators.

We thank you for your interest in participating in the Grand Slam Parade. It is our goal to accommodate as many of those that wish to participate that meet the above outlined criteria. The application deadline for the parade is June 1, 2023. All entrants will be notified of their acceptance by July 1, 2023. Email [email protected] or call 570.326.1971 if you have any questions or need further information.