If you have lived in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area (or Delaware Valley region) for any length of time, you know that every New Year's Day, the City of Philadelphia is host to the Philadelphia Mummers New Year's Day Parade, celebrating it's 102nd year.
This tradition involving Mummers is unique to the area. I know of nothing like it anywhere else. It is considered by some to be the most authentic folk festival in the United States. Their sight and sound are distinctive. Adults in elaborate customes march and strut through Philadelphia streets, many while playing instruments, to entertain us and welcome in the new year.
If you don't know about Mummers, then you owe it to yourself to check out the resources included below.
If you can not be one of the hundreds of thousands that regularly make it into the city each year to watch the parade, you can catch it on local TV 17 (MyPhl17). Their coverage begins at 8am. Also check out the MyPhl17 web site as they have a section dedicated to the history of the Mummers and videos from past parades and Mummer events.
In addition to local coverage provided by MyPhl17, four hour coverage of the Mummers Parade can also be seen nationally on Superstation WGN (Direct TV channel 307 and Dish Network channel 239) beginning at 2pm EST on New Year's Day MyPhl17's sister station, Boston's WLVI.
Here are resources to learn more about the Mummers:
Mummers.com - information about the parade, history, FAQ's, links to more resources.
Philly17 (MyPhl17) - special section dedicated history and information about the Mummers with videos.
PhillyMummers.com - history overview of the Mummers.
MummersTime Magazine - Mummer News (you will also hear a short music clip of the traditional sound)
String Band Archives - historical records, photos, music, videos.
Mummer Museum - paraphernalia and memorabilia.
RiverFront Mummers NYA - web site of one of the mummers brigades, FAQ's, learn what a "wench" is.
Strut! The Movie - It's a parade, but you've never seen a parade like this before!
Kings For A Day! - National Geographic feature story about the Mummers
Click here for related blog articles about the Mummers.
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Copyright 2007 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.
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Hey Lawrence. Good information on our Mummers Parade. I have seen it in person in the past, mostly on TV as we always take down the tree on New Years Day.
Happy New Year 2008!