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Event Information:
The Mummers
Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Local clubs (usually called "New
Years Associations") compete in one
of four categories (Comics, Fancies, String
Bands, and Fancy Brigades). They prepare
elaborate costumes and moveable scenery,
which take months to complete.
Watch the Mummers parade live streaming
online coverage
This is done
in clubhouses, many of which are located
on or near 2nd Street (called "Two
Street" by some local residents) in
the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia,
which also serve as social gathering places
for members.The Mummers Parade traces back
to mid-17th century roots, blending elements
from Swedish, Finnish, Irish, English, German
and other European heritages, as well as
African heritage. The parade is related
to the Mummers Play tradition from England,
Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Revivals of
this tradition are still celebrated annually
in South Gloucestershire, England on Boxing
Day and in parts of Ireland on St. Stephen's
Day.
The Mummers
Parade traveled northward on Broad Street
in Philadelphia for decades until the 1995
parade when the parade was moved to Market
Street due to construction work on Broad
Street (notably the "Avenue of the
Arts" between Washington Ave. and City
Hall). After construction was completed,
the parade returned to Broad Street from
1996 to 1999. For various reasons, the parade
was moved again to Market Street in 2000.
In 2004, the parade was moved back to Broad
Street. In 1997 the Fancy Brigades were
moved to the Pennsylvania Convention Center,
allowing for larger sets, but limiting audience
size. In , the Fancy Brigades returned to
the parade.
Each year,
thousands of people participate in the parade,
many wearing elaborate costumes costing
tens of thousands of dollars to make and
weighing well over 100 pounds. $395,000
in prizes is awarded to the various winners.
The costs for making the outfits plus fees
to choreographers and prop designers often
far exceed the prizes available. While club
fund raisers, hall rentals, bank loans often
cover much of the expense, individual members
frequently spend hundreds or thousands of
dollars of their own money. To raise funds,
many string bands and their members seek
paying gigs, particularly in area Fourth
of July parades, the annual "Show of
Shows" (held in Atlantic City each
winter), weddings and other events. Many
clubs hold "beef and beers" or
50/50 raffles. Most charge annual dues for
membership.
Local
Weather:
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