Editing Mummers Parade

{{short description|Parade held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2011}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name         = Mummers Parade
| native_name  =
| logo         = <!--INCLUDE "[[File:Filename]]" when entering file name-->
| logo_caption =
| image        = 2010 Mummers New Year's Day Parade (4235886776).jpg
| image_size   = 300px
| caption      = A [[string band]]<!-- please do not change, see "String band" section below --> in the 2010 Mummers Parade
| alt          =
| date         = [[New Year's Day]]
| begins       = 
| ends         = 
| frequency    = Annual
| location     = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]
| country      = U.S.
| years_active = {{age|1900|1|1}} 
| first        = January 1, 1901 (first official parade)
| last         = January 1, 2025
| participants = 
| attendance   =
| genre        = [[Parade]]
| budget       =
| patron       = 
| website      = 
| footnotes    = 
| organised    =
}}

The '''Mummers Parade''' is held each [[New Year's Day]] in [[Philadelphia]]. It started in 1901, and is the longest-running continuous folk parade in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Enthusiastic crowds greet Mummers as they strut to bring in 2023 amid near perfect weather |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mummers-parade-new-years-day-2023-20230101.html |website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=2023-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114090337/https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mummers-parade-new-years-day-2023-20230101.html |archive-date=2023-01-14 |url-status=live |last1=Kummer |first1=Frank}}</ref>

Local clubs, usually called "New Years Associations" or "New Years Brigades", compete in one of five categories: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, [[String band|String Band]]s, and Fancy Brigades. They prepare elaborate [[costume]]s, performance routines, and movable [[scenery]], which take months to complete. This is done in clubhouses{{spaced ndash}}many of which are on or near 2nd Street (called "Two Street" by some local residents)<ref name="strut">{{cite video | people = [[Max Raab|Max L. Raab]] | title = Strut! The Movie | medium = DVD | publisher = Max L. Raab Productions | location = Philadelphia | URL = http://www.strutthemovie.com/synopsis.php | date = 2001 | access-date = November 28, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009130211/http://www.strutthemovie.com/synopsis.php | archive-date = October 9, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> in the [[Pennsport, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Pennsport]] neighborhood of the city's [[South Philadelphia]] section{{spaced ndash}}which also serve as social gathering places for members.

Multiple Philadelphia television stations have aired the parade through its history; beginning in 2023, the latest of these is [[Wilmington, Delaware]]-licensed [[WDPN-TV]], known as [[MeTV]] 2, which also provides [[streaming media|live stream]] coverage through the website of its sister station [[WFMZ-TV]] in nearby [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. On at least several occasions, the parade has been nationally televised. In 1994 and again in 1995, it was televised by the [[Travel Channel]]. In 2009 and 2010, parts of the parade were televised nationally on [[WGN America]] and [[WGN-TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/mummers-parade-tv-broadcast-history-travel-channel/ |title=How the Mummers Parade (briefly) landed on national TV in the Nineties |date=December 27, 2022 |publisher=PhillyVoice.com |access-date=December 31, 2022 }}</ref>

==History==
===17th century===
[[File:The Holy Rollers N.Y.B. in the 2008 Mummers Parade.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[Holy Rollers N.Y.B.]] in the 2008 parade presenting their theme "Our Hearts are Wild for Diamonds"]]
[[File:Mummers2005-stringband.jpg|thumb|A few members of the [[Aqua String Band]] in the 2005 parade presenting their theme "Just Plain Dead"]]
[[File:Mummers2005-fancy.jpg|thumb|A "fancy" mummer in the 2005 parade]]
[[File:GoldenSunrise.jpg|thumb|Golden Sunrise Fancy Club members participate in the 2007 parade]]
The parade traces back to mid-17th-century roots, blending elements from [[Swedes|Swedish]], [[Finns|Finnish]], Irish, English, German, and other European heritages, as well as African heritage.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.phila.gov/recreation/mummers/mummers_history.html|title=Mummers Parade History|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516223647/http://www.phila.gov/recreation/mummers/Mummers_History.html|archive-date=2008-05-16}}. [[Philadelphia Parks & Recreation|Philadelphia Department of Recreation]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tadeushuk, Patrick |url=http://www.fieldtrip.com/pa/53363050.htm |title=Special, History – Mummers Museum |publisher=Fieldtrip.com |date= March 29, 2007 |access-date= August 14, 2011}}</ref>

The parade is related to the [[Mummers Play]] tradition from [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]].<ref name="pfp1">{{cite journal |year=1992 |title=Multicultural Views: Traditional gardens, palm-weaving, Khmer arts, and mummery |url=http://www.folkloreproject.org/folkarts/resources/papers.cfm |url-status=dead |journal=Working Papers |publisher=Philadelphia Folklore Project |issue=7 |oclc=42829189 |id=New York Public Library [https://www.nypl.org/research/research-catalog/bib/hb990072727510203941 hb990072727510203941] (call number F158.9.A1 M85 1992). |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106160856/http://www.folkloreproject.org/folkarts/resources/papers.cfm |archive-date=January 6, 2008 |df=mdy}}</ref> Revivals of this tradition are still celebrated annually in [[Marshfield, South Gloucestershire#The Mummers of Marshfield|South Gloucestershire, England]] on [[Boxing Day]] along with other locations in England and in parts of Ireland on [[Saint Stephen's Day]] and also in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador around Christmas.

[[Swedes]] and [[Finns]], early European colonists in the Philadelphia area, brought the custom of visiting neighbors on "Second Day Christmas" (December 26) with them to [[Tinicum Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Tinicum]]. This was soon extended through New Year's Day with costumed celebrants loudly parading through the city.<ref name="pfp1"/><ref name="tradition">[http://www.phillymummers.com/history.htm "The Philadelphia Tradition"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223142359/http://www.phillymummers.com/history.htm |date=December 23, 2007 }}. Philadelphia Mummers Association. Retrieved November 27, 2007.</ref> They appointed a "speech director", who performed a special dance with a traditional rhyme:
{{cquote|Here we stand before your door,<br />As we stood the year before;<br />
Give us [[whiskey]]; give us [[gin]],<br />Open the door and let us in.<ref name="tradition"/><ref name="Ancient Custom"/><br />Or give us something nice and hot<br />Like a steaming hot bowl of [[Philadelphia Pepper Pot|pepper pot]]!<ref name="folklore">{{cite journal | last=Welch | first=Charles E. Jr. | title = "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers": The Philadelphia Mummers Parade| journal = [[Journal of American Folklore]] | volume = 79| issue = 314 | pages = 523–536 | publisher = The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 79, No. 314| date = October–December 1966| doi =10.2307/538218 | jstor = 538218 }}</ref>}}

===18th century===
The Mummers derive their name from the [[Mummers play|Mummers' plays]] performed in [[Philadelphia]] in the 18th century as part of a wide variety of working class street celebrations around Christmas. By the early 19th century, these coalesced with earlier Swedish customs, including the Christmas neighbor visits and possibly shooting firearms on New Year's Day (although this was common in other countries as well) as well as the [[Pennsylvania Dutch|Pennsylvania German]] custom of [[Belsnickel|"belsnickling,"]] where adults in disguise questioned children about their behavior during the previous year.<ref name="jstor.org">{{cite journal|last1=Davis|first1=Susan G.|title=Making Night Hideous: Christmas Revelry and Public Order in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia|journal=American Quarterly|date=Summer 1982|volume=34|issue=2|pages=185–199|jstor=2712609|doi=10.2307/2712609}}</ref>

[[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George Washington]] carried on the official custom of New Year's Day calls during the seven years he occupied [[President's House (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|President's House]] in Philadelphia. The Mummers continued their traditions of comic verse in exchange for cakes and ale. Small groups of up to twenty mummers, their faces blackened, went door to door, shooting and shouting, and adapting the English Mummer's play by replacing the character of "King George" with that of "General Washington."<ref name="Ancient Custom"/>

===19th century===
Throughout the 19th century, large groups of disguised and sometimes [[blackface]]d working class young men roamed the streets on New Year's Day, organizing processions, firing weapons into the air, demanding free drinks in taverns, and generally challenging middle and upper-class notions of order and decorum.<ref name="jstor.org"/>

An 1808 law decreed that "masquerades" and "masquerade halls" were "common nuisances" and that anyone participating would be subject to a fine and imprisonment. It was apparently never successfully enforced and was repealed in 1859.<ref name="Ancient Custom"/><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Marion |first=John Francis |date=January 1981 |title=On New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Mummer's the word: each January, thousands don outlandish costumes and strut to the thumping beat of string bands in a colorful tribal parade |magazine=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |pages=80+ |volume=11 |id={{Gale|A1778085}}.}}</ref><ref name="the word">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070614205533/http://riverfrontmummers.com/mummers/articles/article1.html "On New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Mummer's the Word"]}}. rivefrontmummers.com.  Archived version retrieved January 4, 2008.</ref> [[Henry Muhlenberg]], writing in 1839, reported, "Men met on the roads in Tinicum and Kingsessing, who were disguised as clowns, shouting at the top of their voices and shooting guns.<ref name="Ancient Custom">{{cite web|url=http://riverfrontmummers.com/mummers/articles/oldmum.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041210094949/http://riverfrontmummers.com/mummers/articles/oldmum.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2004-12-10 |title=The Ancient Custom of Mummery |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

By the 1880s, unable to suppress the custom, the Philadelphia city government began to pursue a policy of co-option, requiring participants to join organized groups with designated leaders who had to apply for permits and were responsible for their groups’ actions. The earliest documented club, the Chain Gang, had formed in 1840 and Golden Crown first marched in 1876 with cross-town rivals Silver Crown forming soon after. By 1881, a local report said "Parties of paraders" made the street "almost like a masked Ball."<ref name="the word"/> By 1900, these groups formed part of an organized, city-sanctioned parade with cash prizes for the best performances.<ref name="jstor.org"/>
 	
[[Plantations in the American South|Southern plantation]] life's contributions include the parade's theme song, [[James A. Bland]]'s "[[Oh, Dem Golden Slippers]]" (introduced in 1903), as well as the 19th-century [[cakewalk]], dubbed the "Mummers' Strut" or the "2 Street Strut".<ref name="history"/><ref name="tradition"/>

===20th century===
The first official parade was held January 1, 1901. The first string band, Trilby, was organized in 1898, first paraded in 1902, and last paraded in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Panaritis |first=Maria |date=Dec 28, 2014 |title=ALL IS NOT GAIETY BENEATH THE FEATHERS: Dwindling, Mummers are scaling back.<!-- p. B1 on Newspapers.com --> / MUMMERS<!-- from "See MUMMERS on B4" on p. B1 on Newspapers.com --> / Feathers and glitter cover a grim tale<!-- p. B4 on Newspapers.com --> / Under the gaiety, Mummers are in grim fight to survive<!-- Nexis Uni and Dow Jones Factiva --> |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |department=Local News |publisher=Interstate General Media |pages=B1, B4 |edition=<!-- Newspapers.com: the line below the nameplate on p. A1 states "SUNDAY DECEMBER 28, 2014 | ESTABLISHED IN 1829 | <Facebook logo> <Twitter logo> PHILLYINQUIRER | CITY & SUBURBS | C | $2", and the top-left corner of p. B1 states "B  The Inquirer | SUNDAY, DEC. 28, 2014 | PHILLY.COM | C*  LOCAL NEWS"; Nexis Uni: "CITY-D Edition" and "Section: PHILADELPHIA; P-com News Local; Pg. B01"; Factiva: "ED: CITY-D" and "IPD: P-com News Local" --> |volume=186 <!-- "186th year" --> |issue=211 |issn=08856613 |id={{Factiva|PHLI000020141228eacs00006}}. [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/199701285/?match=1&terms=%22Joseph%20Kaminski%20is%20broken%20up%22 199701285], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/199701444/?terms=%22much-shortened%20parade%22%20%22route%20this%20year%22&match=1 199701444]. [[Nexis Uni]] [https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn%3acontentItem%3a5DY2-K6V1-DYJT-227X-00000-00 {{small|5DY2-K6V1-DYJT-227X-00000-00}}]. {{ProQuest|1640922637}}.}} The original has about 1116 to 1353 words; whole and partial reproductions include: {{Citation |title=Mummers' famous Trilby band is sidelined for Philadelphia parade |date=28 Dec 2014 |work=TCA News Service (TNS) |publisher=Tribune Content Agency / McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |id={{ProQuest|1640637924}}}}; {{Citation |title=Under the gaiety, Mummers are in grim fight to survive |date=28 Dec 2014 |work=TCA Regional News |id={{ProQuest|1640608824}}}}; {{Citation |title=Philadelphia Mummers band in fight to survive |date=29 Dec 2014 |work=The Charleston Gazette |page=A.13 |id={{Factiva|CGAZ000020141230eact00053}}, {{ProQuest|1640889037}}}}; {{Citation |title=Mummers’ famous Trilby band is sidelined for Philadelphia parade |date=December 28, 2014 |work=Reading Eagle |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2014/12/29/demise-of-band-among-losses-for-mummers-parade-in-philadelphia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231013446/http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/mummers-famous-trilby-band-is-sidelined-for-philadelphia-parade |archive-date=2015-12-31 |url-status=live}}.</ref> In the early years of the official parade, the makeshift costumes of most celebrants were gradually replaced by more elaborate outfits funded by associations' fund-raising efforts.<ref name="history"/>

The official parade has been cancelled only thrice during its history. One happened in 1919 as a result of the Spanish Flu epidemic when many public events were cancelled; another occurred in 1934 due to the effects of the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]] and a lack of prize money; and 2021 on grounds of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].

As they assimilated to Philadelphia, many immigrant groups have joined the tradition. Numerous [[Irish people|Irish]] immigrants and [[Irish-American]]s from South Philadelphia became involved in the Mummers Parade as both Mummers performers and parade goers. Other ethnic groups were soon integrated into the parade through the years. [[Italian-American]]s and [[Italian people|Italian]] immigrants to South Philadelphia began to participate in the Mummers Parade in large numbers after [[World War II]].<ref name="pfp2">{{cite web |author=Richard N. Juliani |title=Uses of Tradition: Arts of Italian Americans in Philadelphia |publisher=Philadelphia Folklore Project |year=1992 |url=http://www.folkloreproject.org/programs/exhibits/uses/index.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106160927/http://www.folkloreproject.org/programs/exhibits/uses/index.cfm |archive-date=January 6, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> While South Philadelphia (especially [[Pennsport]]) remains one of the most important centers for Mummers traditions and Mummers members, more recent immigrants to the neighborhood from [[Asia]] and [[Latin America]] generally have fewer ties to the parade and tradition.<ref>Hepp, Chris (August 7, 2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140808190942/http://articles.philly.com/2014-08-07/news/52519369_1_mummers-parade-fancy-brigades-string-bands "Mummers Parade going south? City mulls big change"]. [[Philadelphia Inquirer]]. Retrieved February 2, 2015.</ref>

While almost all parade participants are currently white, [[African American]] mummers existed in the past. The all African American Golden Eagle Club, formed in 1866, had 300 members in the 1906 parade, for example. Judges systematically discriminated against black clubs, however, and the last, the [[Octavius Catto]] Club, withdrew after receiving last place in the 1929 parade.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Welch|first1=Charles E. Jr. |title="Oh, Dem Golden Slippers": The Philadelphia Mummers Parade|journal=Journal of American Folklore|date=October–December 1966|volume=79|issue=314|pages=523–536|jstor=538218|doi=10.2307/538218}}</ref> The brass bands hired to accompany the Comic Brigades often include black musicians, but do not dress in costume and consider themselves [[session musicians]] rather than Mummers.  By 1964, only one African American mummer, Willis Fluelling, remained.<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://citypaper.net/article.php?Why-blackface-still-dogs-the-Mummers-50-years-after-it-was-banned-18176
 |title        = Why blackface still dogs the Mummers 50 years after it was banned
 |last1        = Guendelsberger
 |first1       = Emily
 |publisher    = Philadelphia CityPaper
 |date         = 2013-12-19
 |access-date   = 2017-07-11
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140129143313/http://citypaper.net/article.php?Why-blackface-still-dogs-the-Mummers-50-years-after-it-was-banned-18176
 |archive-date = January 29, 2014
 |url-status      = dead
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> As of 2007, a few of the less traditional clubs, such as [[Spiral Q Puppet Theater]]'s West Philadelphia Mummers Brigade, were integrated.

The comic "wenches" and other female roles in most skits are typically performed by men in drag.<ref name="Mummers on Parade"/> Women were not officially allowed in the parade until the 1970s.<ref name="the word"/><ref name="Mummers on Parade">DeLeon, Clark (Winter 1984/1985). {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20020103201322/http://riverfrontmummers.com/mummers/articles/article2.html "Mummers on Parade"]}}.  ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]''.</ref>

The South Philly Vikings ran [[2300 Arena|Viking Hall]] in the 1980s and 1990s, the venue today known as 2300 Arena.<ref name="pwbts.com 2008 l659">{{cite web | last=Magee |first=Bob| title=AS I SEE IT 5/12: 15 years of the ECW Arena | website=pwbts.com | date=May 12, 2008 | url=http://www.pwbts.com/columns/2008/b051208.html | access-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref>

===21st century===
As of 2008, the parade cost the city over $1 million each year, including $750,000 for police and parade services and $360,000 in prize money. The 2008 budget crisis led the city to propose closing numerous libraries and firehouses and the scaling back of expenditures for the parade, offering $300,000 for the 2009 parade and nothing for 2010.<ref name=shortened>"Shortened 2009 Strut?".  ''[[Philadelphia Metro]]''. December 15, 2008.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cornfield |first=Josh |date=December 15, 2008 |title=Mummers parade details not yet confirmed; changes coming |work=Metro |department=Local |publication-place=Philadelphia, PA |id={{NewsBank text|125193FD01E35A48}}}}</ref><ref>''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]''.  December 29, 2008.  Retrieved December 30, 2008.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jaros |first=John |date=29 Dec 2008 |title=TAX MONEY FOR SPORTS TEAMS BUT NOT LIBRARIES? |work=Philadelphia Daily News |department=THE DAILY VIEWS : LETTERS |location=Philadelphia |page=10 |publication-place=Philadelphia, Pa. |id={{ProQuest|430462472}}.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gambacorta |first=David |date=29 Dec 2008 |title=Who's strutting what this year?: Divisions putting finishing touches on costumes, choreography |work=Philadelphia Daily News |department=FEATURES |pages=28, 29 |publication-place=Philadelphia, Pa. |id=[[Newspapers.com]] [https://philly.newspapers.com/image/198412023/ 198412023], [https://philly.newspapers.com/image/198412109/ 198412109]. {{ProQuest|430457973}}.}}</ref><ref name="dollars" />

After the end of city funding for the parade, the Mummers created the "Save the Mummers Fund" to help cover the additional city fees to paying expenses for police and sanitation services during the event.<ref name=Bacon>{{cite web|author = Bayliss, Kelly| publisher = [[WCAU]] |date=June 17, 2009|url=http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/around-town/archive/Kevin-Bacon-Wants-to-Save-the-Mummers.html|title=Kevin Bacon Wants To Save the Mummers|access-date= January 3, 2012}}</ref>

Funding for the parade during the first decade of the 2000s was provided for several years by [[Southwest Airlines]], which also took naming rights of the parade, which was called "Southwest Airlines Mummers Parade."  Funding for the 2012 parade was provided by [[SugarHouse Casino]], which renamed the parade to "Sugar House Mummers Parade."<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.sugarhousecasino.com/press/read.php?id=74 |title=Sugarhouse Casino Press Release |publisher=Sugarhousecasino.com |access-date= January 11, 2011}}</ref>

In September 2009, [[The Bacon Brothers]] musical duo, composed of Philadelphia natives [[Michael Bacon (musician)|Michael]] and [[Kevin Bacon]], recorded a special version of their song "New Year's Day" with members of the All-Star String Band.<ref>Highsmith, Steve (June 17, 2009).  [http://www.myphl17.com/community/mummers/wphl-strut-talk-son-of-a-mummer,0,4937524.htmlstory "The Mummers and Kevin Bacon{{spaced ndash}}The Bacon Brothers Band Were Joined in a Philadelphia Studio To Record a Version of Their Song, New Year's Day, with Actual Philly Mummers!"]. [[WPHL-TV]].  Retrieved January 3, 2012.</ref> Proceeds from the sale of the CD went to the Save the Mummers Fund.<ref name=Bacon/> Additionally, the duo performed a benefit concert for the parade in December 2009.<ref>Staff (December 5, 2009). [http://www.myphl17.com/wphl-bacon-bothers-mummers-concert,0,6487197.story "Bacon Brothers Mummers Concert{{spaced ndash}}Help Kevin Bacon and the Bacon Brothers Save the Mummers!{{spaced ndash}}Visit www.savethemummers.com To Make a Donation"].  [[WPHL-TV]].  Retrieved January 3, 2012.</ref>

==Location, time, and route==
The parade traveled northward on [[Broad Street (Philadelphia)|Broad Street]] in Philadelphia for decades until the 1995 parade when the parade was moved to [[Market Street (Philadelphia)|Market Street]] due to construction work on Broad Street at the [[Avenue of the Arts (Philadelphia)|Avenue of the Arts]] between Washington Avenue and [[Philadelphia 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 2011, 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&nbsp;pounds.<ref name="the word"/><ref name="Mummers on Parade"/> At one time up to $395,000 in prizes was awarded to the various winners. But as of 2010, there are no longer any monetary awards for the performers. <ref>"If You Go: Mummers Parade 2008".  ''[[Philadelphia Metro]]''. December 28, 2007.</ref> 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, and bank loans often cover much of the expense, individual members frequently spend hundreds or thousands of dollars of their own money.<ref name="Mummers on Parade"/> To raise funds, many string bands and their members seek paying gigs, particularly in area [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] parades, the annual "Show of Shows" held in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]] each winter, weddings, and other events. Many clubs hold "beef and beers" or 50/50 raffles. Most charge annual dues for membership.<ref name="dollars">{{Cite news |last=Strauss |first=Robert |date=December 29, 2008 |title=Mummers, dollars and change - It's smaller this year, but the {Mummers Parade is still / Broad Street parade is} alive & well <!-- according to NewsBank, the print title is "Mummers dollars and change - It's smaller this year, but the Mummers Parade is still alive & well" whereas the online (I assume that's what "Page: WEB" means) title is "Mummers, dollars and change - Itâ€™s smaller this year, but the Broad Street parade is alive & well" --> |url=<!-- was http://www.philly.com/dailynews/36652739.html, accessed December 30, 2008 --> |work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]] |department=FEATURES / Mummers 2009 |page= |pages=23, 24, 28 |publication-place=PA |id={{NewsBank text|12562A178695DA20}} (print version), [https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&docref=news/12562A175FF14AB8 12562A175FF14AB8] (web version). [[Newspapers.com]] [https://philly.newspapers.com/image/198411698/ 198411698], [https://philly.newspapers.com/image/198411747/ 198411747], [https://philly.newspapers.com/image/198412023/ 198412023].}}</ref>

As of 2008, the parade began at 9:00&nbsp;am and ended sometime before 8:00&nbsp;pm. Fancy brigades performed at the nearby convention center at noon, and in a second, judged show at 5:00&nbsp;pm.<ref name="strut" /> An individual Mummers' strut{{spaced ndash}}a weaving, comical dance/walk with pumping arms held out to the side{{spaced ndash}}may last two or three hours from South Philadelphia to City Hall. The whole parade, at close to eleven hours, may have been the longest parade in the U.S.<ref name="Mummers on Parade"/> Due to budget cuts, the 2009 parade was shorter, scheduled to begin at 10:00&nbsp;am and last six and a half hours.<ref name=shortened/><ref name=Another>"Another Year of Mummery".  ''[[Philadelphia Metro]]''. December 30, 2008.</ref>

Incidents of foul weather have delayed the parade on occasions by several hours, including 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Late Start to Mummers Parade |date=January 1, 2008 |publisher=philly.com |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20080101_Mummers_Parade_to_be_delayed.html |access-date=January 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104010611/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20080101_Mummers_Parade_to_be_delayed.html |archive-date=January 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>

On January 1, 2015, the Mummers began their parade route at Philadelphia's City Hall and headed south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue. The Mummers used the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a staging area prior to moving to City Hall to be judged. After the judging, the mummers joined the parade heading south on Broad St. The parade ended at Washington Ave, with some clubs still heading east to Second Street for the unofficial "Two Street Parade".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrmummer.com/2015-mummers-parade-route/|title=2015 Mummers Parade Route - Learn about the Mummers Parade Route|website=www.mrmummer.com}}</ref>

If an all-day postponement is required for foul weather, the parade is usually held the following Saturday (or Sunday, if Saturday is inclement), as the expensive and fancy costumes are easily harmed by precipitation or high winds.

Each year, there is a festival leading up to the parade called MummersFest. It allows fans to tour the Pennsylvania Convention Center to watch the Fancy Brigades build their props and practice for their New Year's Day reveal.

==Divisions==
===Comics===
Comics are clowns, many of them well-liquored,<ref name=Another/> in colorful outfits, often with multi-level umbrellas who dance to recordings such as "Golden Slippers". The comics typically start the parade. Themes often gently parody current events and traditional life. Prizes are awarded for floats, groups, brigades, couples, original costume, original character, and juvenile.

The comic clubs are:
* Goodtimers 
* Landi
* Rich Porco's Murray Comic Club

===Wench brigades===
Wench brigades, an offshoot of comics, pride themselves on continuing traditions such as the dress-and-bloomers "suits", painted faces, decorated umbrellas, and live brass bands to accompany the brigade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.comcast.net/~wench/wench.pdf |title=Wench Brigade Association |accessdate= 2012-01-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930230055/http://home.comcast.net/~wench/wench.pdf |archivedate=  2015-09-30 |df=mdy }}</ref> As of 2024, 10 brigades form part of the parade.

Wench brigades include: 
* Bryson
* Cara Liom
* Froggy Carr
* O'Malley
* Oregon
* Pirates
* Riverfront
* Saints
* Americans

===Fancies===
The fancy division is made up of one mother club: 
* Golden Sunrise<ref>{{cite web|url=http://phillymummers.com/divisions/fancy/|title=Golden Sunrise homepage |publisher=Goldensunrise.net |accessdate= August 14, 2011}}</ref>

Members with some small floats strut in elaborate costumes to music provided by a live band.<ref name=Another/> Prizes are awarded to individuals, trios, juveniles and captains.

===String bands===
[[String band]]s provide elaborate performances. Limited to unamplified strings, reeds, and percussion, string bands feature banjos, saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone and bass), accordions, double basses, drums, glockenspiels and occasionally violins in musical arrangements tied to a theme presented by the captain, beautiful costumes and props (some people call them floats). Historically, string bands performed mostly in military-drill formations. Harrowgate (now Uptown) String Band's first-prize-winning railroad tunes with Broadway-style dance in 1976 changed that. String-band performances are now the most elaborate of the parade, outdone only by the fancy brigades indoor performances. These bands come from all over Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.<ref name="Mummers on Parade"/> With the move of the Fancy Brigades to become indoor theatrical presentations, the band displays today constitute the finale of the morning parade.

The participant string bands include the following:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Aqua String Band|Aqua]]
* Avalon 
* Jersey String Band 
* Duffy
* Durning 
*[[Ferko String Band| Ferko]]
* Fralinger 
* [[Greater Kensington (string band)|Greater Kensington]] 
* Hegeman
* [[Pennsport (string band)|Pennsport]]
* Polish American
* Quaker City 
* South Philadelphia 
* Uptown 
* Woodland 
{{colend}}

===Fancy brigades===
The largest category with the largest crews, the fancy brigades march the southernmost portion of the parade route, before heading to the convention center for a ticketed show and judging.<ref name=Another/> Until the late 1970s, the fancy brigades were simply larger presentations within the Fancies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fancybrigade.com/fancy_brigades/history.php |title=Fancy Brigade Association History |accessdate=January 2, 2012}}</ref> As the props grew larger, more cumbersome and more vulnerable to wind, rain and snow, the decision was made to move the Brigades indoors, making them a separate event away from the parade providing the finale to a day of citywide celebrations. These brigades have two shows slated in the center, with the late afternoon show, with the judges present for the scoring of the performances, being televised live.

Fancy brigades include:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}} 
* Avenuers
* Purple Magic 
* Clevemore 
* Downtowners 
* Golden Crown
* Jokers 
* Satin Slipper
* Saturnalian 
* Spartans 
* Shooting Stars
* South Philly Vikings
* MGK Outsiders
{{colend}}

==2nd Street==
[[File:Mummers Museum 1100 S 2nd St Philadelphia PA (DSC 3160).jpg|thumb|The Philadelphia Mummers Museum at 2nd Street and Washington Avenue]]
Because of the large number of clubhouses there, South 2nd Street ([[Two Street]]) often serves as a party location after the parade, with the center of activity being South 2nd Street and Mifflin Street. Local residents and others in the area for the parade crowd the local bars, clubhouses and sidewalks, sometimes joining in the unofficial parade. With the parade they spent months preparing for finished, the Mummers let loose and celebrate. This multi-block party continues well into the night or early morning, with some Mummers not sleeping for twenty-four hours straight.<ref name="strut" /><ref name="Dubin">{{cite book | last = Dubin | first = Murray | title = South Philadelphia; Mummers, Memories, and the Melrose Diner | url = https://archive.org/details/southphiladelphi0000dubi | url-access = registration | publisher = [[Temple University Press]] |date=June 1996 | isbn = 1-56639-429-5}}</ref>

In 2009, the city declined to pay for any post-parade celebrations on Two Street.<ref name=Another/> However, Rep. [[Bob Brady]] helped secure funding for the event in the final hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090101_Brady_steps_in_to_save_Two_Street.html |title=Brady Steps In To Save Two Street |last=Carey |first=Art |date=January 1, 2009 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |access-date=January 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115081308/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090101_Brady_steps_in_to_save_Two_Street.html |archive-date=January 15, 2009 }}</ref>

==Controversy==
The parade has been accused of including hate speech, racist, sexist, anti-LGBT, and culturally insensitive costumes, makeup, and images.<ref>Brennan, Chris. ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'', January 2, 2019, "[http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-city-council-president-darrell-clarke-blackface-mummers-parade-black-20190102.html Philly City Council president inaccurately accuses Mummers troupe of wearing blackface]".<nowiki> "The parade has a history of controversial and, at times, racist skits..."</nowiki>. Retrieved January 12, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/philadelphia-mummers-parade_us_568c091ce4b0b958f65d18bd |title=This Famous Philadelphia Tradition Has An Extensive History Of Racism And Sexism |date=January 5, 2016 |publisher=HuffPost |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Owens |first=Ernest |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2019/01/03/kenney-racism-mummers-rizzo-statue/ |title=After Latest Mummers Controversy, Kenney Has to Pick a Side on Racism |website=Phillymag.com |date=2019-01-03 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Owens |first=Ernest |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2017/01/03/mummers-parade-diversity-white-heritage/ |title=Want to Solve the Mummers' Diversity Problem? Just Call It "The White Heritage Parade" |publisher=Phillymag.com |date=2017-01-03 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://whyy.org/articles/after-sensitivity-training-will-mummers-rein-in-raucous-antics/ |title=After sensitivity training, will Mummers rein in raucous antics? |publisher=WHYY |date=2016-12-22 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McQuade |first=Dan |url=https://www.phillymag.com/city/2016/01/02/mummers-parade-offensive-brownface-caitlyn-jenner/ |title=People Are Angry at the 2016 Mummers Parade |website=Phillymag.com |date=2016-01-02 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://phlcouncil.com/council-president-clarke-statement-on-blackface-at-mummers-parade/ |title=Council President Clarke Statement On Blackface At Mummers Parade - Updated |date=January 2, 2019 |publisher=Philadelphia City Council |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Hickey |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/frank-rizzo-statue-blue-lives-matter-flag-removed-council-candidate-joe-cox/ |title=Someone put a Blue Lives Matter flag on the Rizzo statue and council candidate took it down |website=PhillyVoice |date=2019-01-01 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://billypenn.com/2019/01/02/why-everyones-mad-about-the-mummers-and-blackface-again/ |title=Why everyone's mad about the Mummers and blackface again - On top of Philly news |publisher=Billypenn.com |date=2020-01-13 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

The wearing of [[blackface]] carried over from minstrel shows in the early 20th century.<ref name=TheresMore>John-Hall, Annette (December 26, 2007).  [https://web.archive.org/web/20071227223715/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20071226_Annette_John-Hall__.html "A Photojournalist Shows There's More to Mummers Than Feathers, Wigs and a Racist Past"]. <nowiki>"'Minstrel shows were huge in Philly at the turn of the century,' said Kennedy, explaining the origins of blackface Mummery. 'There were even ads for minstrel shows in the Philadelphia Tribune. The string bands are a direct descendant of the minstrel shows and vaudeville.'"</nowiki> ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''. Retrieved January 9, 2008.</ref> Growing dissent from civil-rights groups and the objections of the black community led to most clubs phasing out blackface in the early 1960s.

In 1963, one week before the parade, concerned about their image for a nationwide broadcast, the Mummers banned blackface for the parade. Angry Mummers picketed the parade magistrate's home, leading to a reversal of the decision. Concerned about a possible riot, the city called in extra police for the parade.<ref name="badly">Orso, Anna. ''Billy Penn'' ([[WHYY-TV]]), January 5, 2016. "[https://billypenn.com/2016/01/05/blackface-prostitutes-hate-speech-a-brief-history-of-the-mummers-behaving-badly/ Blackface, prostitutes, hate speech: A brief history of the Mummers behaving badly]". Accessed January 17, 2020.</ref> A 1964 city policy officially banned blackface,<ref name="the word"/><ref>Tom, Brittany. the grio.com, January 3, 2013, "[http://thegrio.com/2013/01/03/philadelphias-mummers-parade-features-blackface-performance/ Philadelphia’s Mummers parade features blackface performance]." Accessed January 3, 2016.</ref> but some groups have continued to wear blackface into the 21st century over growing protests.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/more-diverse-mummers-parade-mired-by-homophobic-racist-acts/79918/|title=More Diverse Mummers Parade Marred by Homophobic, Racist Acts}}</ref> However, as of 2017, the use of blackface is extremely uncommon amongst the parade.

In 1985, the South Philadelphia String Band petitioned to use blackface and was denied.<ref name="badly"/>

In 1987, [[Mayor of Philadelphia|Philadelphia mayor]] [[Wilson Goode]] had Mummers photos removed from [[Philadelphia City Hall|City Hall]] because the Mummers appeared to be wearing blackface. Saying the Mummers were not in blackface, a petition resulted in the photos being restored, though not near the mayor's office.<ref name="badly"/>

In 1996, half of the string bands reported having female members. The bands' captains, though, made it clear to reporters that they did not want to let women in the bands, but felt they had to, due to declining membership.<ref name="badly"/>

In 2003, word spread that Slick Duck Comic Brigade was working on a skit involving [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|priests chasing altar boys]]. Protests from the [[Archdiocese of Philadelphia]], the [[Diocese of Camden]] and the [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]], and [[WPHL-TV]] announcing they would not air the skit led to the group's cancelling of the skit and claiming it was just a prank.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicleague.org/mummers-parade-drops-offensive-skit/ |title=Mummers Parade Drops Offensive Skit |publisher=Catholic League |date=2016-07-05 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref><ref name="badly"/>

Goodtimers Comic Brigade's 2003 entry highlighted the Mummers' continued use of blackface, skirting of the rules with brown, red, purple and blue makeup and strong references to [[minstrel show]]s. Mummers have declared the alternate color choices as a direct protest of the longstanding and frequently flouted ban. The Goodtimers' stand in for [[Al Jolson]] wore dark blue makeup with kinky hair, backed by "a minstrel in blackface on a large poster with 'Gone Yes — Forgotten Never'".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citypaper.net/Cover/Why-blackface-still-dogs-the-Mummers-50-years-after-it-was-banned/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001080338/http://citypaper.net/Cover/Why-blackface-still-dogs-the-Mummers-50-years-after-it-was-banned/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-10-01 |title=Why blackface still dogs the Mummers 50 years after it was banned :: Cover |website=Philadelphia City Paper |date=2015-10-01 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

In 2009, B. Love Strutters Brigade referenced the charges of discrimination filed against [[Joey Vento]] of [[Geno's Steaks]] in the city's Commission on Human Relations. In the skit, "Aliens of an Illegal Kind", Arabs had long beards and turbans, Mexicans wore sombreros, and Asian women were depicted as geishas", ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' reported.<ref name="badly"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/archives/|title=Archives |website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref>

In 2013, The Ferko String Band offered "Ferko's Bringing Back the Minstrel Days".<ref name="badly"/>

In 2013, Venetian NYA club presented "Indi-sourcing", showing a [[call center]] with members dressed as [[Indian people|Indians]] being raided by members dressed as [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] and moving the call center to New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|last=McQuade |first=Dan |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/01/02/mummers-routine-racist/#5501AAT5k2HuLdr0.99 |title=Is This Mummers Routine Racist? |website=Phillymag.com |date=2013-01-02 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

The 2015 parade again featured blackface, along with a satire of the [[Black Lives Matter]] titled "Wench Lives Matter".<ref name="badly"/>

In 2016, a group presented a Mexican-themed skit, with all of the performers wearing brownface. Parodies of Black Lives Matter continued.<ref name="badly"/>

The same year, Finnegan New Years Brigade performed a [[Caitlyn Jenner]] skit showing her pre-transition [[List of athletes on Wheaties boxes|on the cover of Wheaties box]] and after transitioning on the cover of a [[Froot Loops]] box. A male Mummer, dressed as Jenner, appeared, mocking her ''[[Vanity Fair (magazines)|Vanity Fair]]'' cover announcing she was transgender. News reports showed a Mummer with the Wheaties/Froot Loops sign screaming "fuck the gays!" Social media posts led to two of the Mummers being fired from their day-to-day jobs and ousted from the club.<ref name="badly"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/01/02/philly-mayor-elect-mummers-parade-officials-denounce-hateful-acts/ |title=Philly Mayor-Elect, Mummers Officials Denounce Hateful Acts |publisher=CBS Philly  |date=2016-01-02 |access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>

In 2020, two Mummers were banned from future parades after wearing blackface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/mummers-parade-froggy-carr-blackface-philadelphia-leaders-20200102.html|title=Two Mummers who wore blackface 'are never going to be allowed to march again' for Froggy Carr Wench Brigade|website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> In response, Mayor [[Jim Kenney]] (himself from South Philadelphia and a former participant in the parade) said the city would end the parade "if Mummers leadership does not make immediate changes to better control the parade". City Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a bill that Mummers who wore blackface risk a $75 fine and a five-year banishment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/mummers-parade-blackface-cindy-bass-bill-20200123.html|title=Philly Mayor Kenney to the Mummers: End blackface, or the parade is over|first=Sean Collins|last=Walsh|website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Culture of Philadelphia]]
*[[List of holiday parades]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book | last = Kennedy | first = E.A. | title = Life, Liberty, and the Mummers | publisher = [[Temple University Press]] | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-1-59213-588-2 }} (reviewed with excerpt in ''Chronicle of Higher Education''. November 23, 2007 p. B19.)
*{{cite book| last = Masters| first = P.| title = The Philadelphia Mummers: Building Community Through Play| publisher = [[Temple University Press]]| year = 2007| isbn = 978-1-59213-610-0 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://mummersmuseum.com/ Mummers Museum]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/the-mummers-parade/ "The Mummers Parade"] at VisitPhilly

{{Portal bar|Holidays|Philadelphia}}

{{New Year}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mummers Parade| ]]
[[Category:1901 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Annual events in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Broad Street (Philadelphia)]]
[[Category:Culture of Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1901]]
[[Category:Folk festivals in the United States]]
[[Category:German-American culture in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Irish-American culture in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Italian-American culture in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:New Year's Day]]
[[Category:Parades in the United States]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1901]]