Location: Broad and Market Sts.
Time: January 1, 10am
The Philadephia Mummers’ Parade is unlike any parade in the world. A long-standing Philadelphia tradition – the first parade was in 1901 – this parade traces its roots back to the ancient Roman Festival of Saturnalians in 400 B.C. and is most often compared to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras.
Though the parade lasts all day, from about 10a.m. until 6 p.m., for the 10,000 revelers that participate in the parade, this is a year-long event that includes making ornate costumes festooned with ostrich plumes and sequins, learning new music, and coming up with a theme for next year’s routine.
The original Philadelphia Mummers‘ Parade in the early 1900s began with just one division, the Comic Brigades.
These “clowns”, dressed in their finest sequined costumes and paraded down Broad Street, Philadelphia’s main north/south thoroughfare, entertaining the crowds with their antics.
In later years, two more divisions were added; the Fancy Brigades, groups that concentrated on designing the most beautiful costumes around a particular theme, and the String Bands, ensembles of musicians whose presentation and music was based upon one central theme.
There are no brass instruments allowed in the bands, only accordions, saxophones, violins, an occasional string bass, and some percussion. All three divisions are judged on their originality and designs and are awarded monetary prizes for their efforts.
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