Viktoria Pietrykowska arrived at Williamsport's Welcome the World Festival Friday night with a purpose in mind.
“It was like a dream to try American mac and cheese,” said a 24-year-old woman from Poland who actually tried it.
It was a well-deserved reward after volunteering at the Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS), which took place at the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport from Aug. 14 through today.
Meanwhile, a festival in downtown Williamsport was organized to cater to the international tourists attending the series, with roads closed to accommodate food trucks, vendors and musicians.
Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, expects about 20,000 people to attend.
“It continues to grow. We have more vendors participating this year than ever before,” Fink said.
The event, which features nearly 80 vendors lined up along the street and is co-hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the city of Williamsport, began 14 years ago.
Since thousands of people attend the Grand Slam Parade held each year before the start of the LLBWS, Williamsport Welcome the World was conceived as a new way to draw people to downtown.
“People are coming into the stores, eating in the restaurants. It just shows how great downtown Williamsport is,” said Fink, who was standing at a table selling T-shirts with the city's name on them.
This could be a boon for Denise Mierre's company, Gastonian Gifts, but she's not just at the festival to sell her wares.
“It's great to meet new people and also see the people who come every year,” Miele said.
Miere has met tourists from Austin, Texas, and Watertown, New York, at her store on the corner of Pine and 4th streets, and she noted that the event also gives locals a chance to reconnect.
“This is definitely a community event,” she said.
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Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, sells T-shirts with Williamsport's name on them at the “Williamsport Welcomes the World” festival in downtown Williamsport.
Lorena Beniquez / WVIA News Contributor
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Dennis Miere, owner of Gastonian Gifts in Williamsport, welcomed tourists and locals to the event, which drew about 20,000 people.
Lorena Beniquez / WVIA News Contributor
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Alivia Wilton, 6, of Williamsport, flashes a big smile after getting her face painted at Williamsport Welcomes the World.
Lorena Beniquez / WVIA News Contributor
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Wiktoria Pietrykowska came from Poland to volunteer at the Little League Baseball World Series, and between games she stopped by the festival to sample some “American mac and cheese.”
Lorena Beniquez / WVIA News Contributor
Horizon Federal Credit Union of Williamsport wanted to have a booth at the event because of the large local turnout. Their mascot, Hedge, was there to take photos with kids, and they had a cash cube at their booth, where some attendees could try and catch bills as they spun around in a plastic case.
“One of our big commitments is giving back to the communities we serve,” said Michael Patterson, the credit union's chief branding officer.
This is Raymond Stoltzfus of Elimsport's first year at the festival with his Amish food stand. The decision to join the event was a last-minute decision, and he didn't even have time to think about a name for his stand. He churned out his handmade ice cream using a 1930s John Deere engine, which drew crowds and sold well.
“I didn't know what to expect,” he said.
Lorena Beniquez
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WVIA News Contributor
Horizon Federal Credit Union's mascot, Hedgeye, poses for a photo alongside 11-year-old Drew Stevens of Williamsport, who holds a stuffed Hedgeye he won at the Williamsport Credit Union booth.
Pietrykowska hopes to return to the festival next year and volunteer with the series.
She said, “The people here are very nice and I've found that Little League brings people together and I've made a lot of friends. Baseball has given me new fans from Poland.”
While the event is meant to welcome all, it is actually a farewell to the thousands of people who have taken part in LLBWS before it comes to a close this weekend.
“We thought why not do something as a farewell party,” Fink said.
