Do they still have the Mummer's Parade in Philadelphia on New Year's Day?

Question

I grew up in New York City but they always broadcasted the Mummer's Parade on New Year's Day. Do they still have the Mummer's Parade?

Baba.......I wish they broadcast it over the US, it's quite a spectacal!

We've stayed in the Bahamas over several Christmas's and they have something quite like it, it's called Junkanoo. It goes from Midnight Christmas through the day. Very colorful!

Answer 1

You Bet!!!!

I'm there from step-off to the end. It is MY day for teevee....

Popcorn, soda, maybe a nice alchoholic beverage, some snacks, cheese, crackers...a hoagie......

I am a vegetable that day so I can watch the whole thing.

It is the most unique parade in the country.....too bad they don't broadcast it nationally....it would blow that pansy Rose Parade off the air.

Answer 2

Yes they do. Unfortunately the last time I saw it televised nationally was several years ago on the Lifetime cable network of all places. When I was the associate administrator at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital I wanted to resurrect the old League Island Club to march in the parade. We were going to use it as a Navy recruiting tool. But, the association said the club rolls were closed. I even had some guys in South Philly willing to teach sailors how to do the "Mummer's Strut" and certain surgical staff at the hospital were going to lend their suturing talents in making some of the costumes.
Sadly, our participation never came about. So, we built some Bocce Ball courts on the Broad Street side of the hospital. It was a sport that guys in wheel chairs could play.

Answer 3

OH, DO THEY EVER! Until I moved here several years ago, I didn't realize that the parade starts at 8 AM and goes for 12 HOURS! And here the whole thing is broadcast, every minute. The highlights will be edited down and a two-hour program shown in syndication afterwards.

ETA: you have no idea how many kinds of mummers there are, anywhere from one person marching in a fancy costume to the Las Vegas-style revues held in an armory. Men, women and children march, although it used to be just men. The bigger "fancy brigades" spend all year planning their routines and fundraising for their oufits. They begin rehearsing in September, and practice rehearsing in cold weather. They're like fraternal organizations. I'd love to volunteer for one, not as a performer but as adjunct support.