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Philadelphia Holds Mummers Parade 2009
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by Jon Azpiri | January 1, 2009 at 12:16 pm
2250 views | 2 Recommendations | 3 comments
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While much of the US focuses on the Rose Parade, thousands of Philadelphians attend the Mummers Parade.
The parade is nowhere near as famous as the Tournament of Roses Parade, but it's just as colorful. The parade, which is something like Mardi Gras features several local clubs-- known as New Years Associations--competing in four categories: Comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades.
Comics are, not surprisingly, dressed as clowns. Fancies consist of small floats strut, String Bands feature large musical processions, and Fancy Brigades feature large floats and costumes that are displayed indoors.
These clubs spend months and thousands of dollars to create costumes and scenery at clubhouses that act as gathering places for club members.
The parade is derived from the Mummers Play tradition in the UK, a custom that is still celebrated in parts of England on Boxing Day.
This year's Mummers Parade almost didn't happen due to financial problems. The City of Philadelphia withdrew more than $400,000 in financial aid. Fortunately, private fundraisers stepped to provide money to keep the parade going.
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Jon Azpiri
Vancouver, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 16:40 on January 1st, 2009
Nutter is NUTS if he thinks that we won't be watching to insure that every cultural event in this city suffers a 70% cut in funding by the city! I think everyone should know that he also forbade the traditional 2 street parade that transpires on New Years Night EVEN Though the cost would have completely covered by donation AND Wouldn't give a reason.Is he trying to start a riot ??
at 16:50 on January 1st, 2009
Nutter is NUTS if he thinks that we won't be watching to insure that every cultural event in this city suffers a 70% cut in funding by the city! I think everyone should know that he also forbade the traditional 2 street parade that transpires on New Years Night EVEN Though the cost would have completely covered by donation AND Wouldn't give a reason.Is he trying to start a riot ??
at 13:17 on January 2nd, 2009
2 Street Party Was Awesome this year!!!! It was good to see Clean Up crews at 4:30 this morning. This is a tradition that is over 100 years old. The Mummers are not going away. You can not shut down our crazy Philadelphia Mummers. What confuses me is you would think Nutter would take advantage of the promoting the Mummers Parade throughout the United States to bring in that extra revenue from tourists. It Doesn't make sense. If People understood what the Mummers were all about, we would have thousands of people from all over the world coming to Philly like it was Mardi Gras. The City could run with this and bring in alot of needed money.