Mummers parade: Final preparations underway ahead New Year's Day celebration
PHILADELPHIA - It’s almost time to put on Dem’ Golden Slippers and start strutting down Broad Street. Final preparations are in full swing for the 125th Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s Day.
The sounds of the saxophone and banjo were bellowing out through an empty parking lot under rented utility lights Monday night in Bridesburg. About 50 members of the Greater Kensington String Band were getting in their final practice before their New Year’s parade performances.
"There is a lot of pressure. A lot of stress because all the sudden you can’t control anything anymore so you hope you prepared well. You hope people know what they are doing," said John Baron, Director of Greater Kensington.
In Center City, there was also a beehive of activity at the Pennsylvania Convention Center were preparations continued for Wednesday’s Fancy Brigade Finale. That is where indoor ticketed events will feature the Fancy Brigade’s and String Bands. Workers and fellow Mummer’s scurried around the Center to put the final paint on the elaborate sets, last steps into choreographed routines and test blasts of confetti canons for 2 shows on New Year’s Day.
"All of the 10 clubs are putting on their finishing touches on their themes and getting everything ready the gliz the glam so when it’s time to open up the curtains they are ready to go" said Anthony Stagliani Jr., business agent for the Fancy Brigade Association.
Showing off their Mummers Strut, South Philly friends Adriana and Kennedy march for the Spartan’s New Years Brigade. With several parades under their belts, the 8-and 6-year-olds are veteran mummers. This year they even got a promotion by appearing on stage with their Captain in the performance.
Streets crews spent the day erecting barriers and hauling in grandstands along the 1.5-mile parade route that starts at 17th and Markets Streets.
Some of the 10,000 parade marchers are expected to strut down Broad Street in a tradition like no other in the world.
"We do have to have a budget and raise money all year long. We rely on all our family, we rely on the neighborhood, everything," said Dan Rudolph of the Saturnalian Fancy Brigade. Rudolph says the planning for the parade starts a few days after New Year’s. "We take a few days and then do it all again" said Rudolph who says Mummery is "in his blood".
Tori Graser from South Philadelphia is a member of the South Philly Vikings New Years Brigade. She grew up in a neighborhood full of Mummers.
"It’s very important, especially this time of year because you get to see people you know and you have so much fun. Some called it a hobby, but I think it’s a lifestyle because it’s your life," said Graser.
Mummers parade: Everything you need to know about Philly's New Year's Day celebration
The long-running Philadelphia tradition is perhaps its biggest party of the year, but before you and thousands others gather along the 1.5-mile-long parade route there are some things you'll need to know.
The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. The route begins at 17th and Market Streets and winds around City Hall and South on Broad Street, concluding at Washington Avenue. There will be three performance areas along the route.
On New Year’s Day, SEPTA will operate Regional Rail, Metro and buses on a Sunday schedule.
All modes will resume regular weekday schedule start of service day, Thursday, January 2.