Junior Rasmussen
The Mummers Parade is a New Year's Day tradition in Philadelphia, dating back to 1901. Local clubs, usually called New Years Associations or New Years Brigades, compete in various categories, including Comics, Wench Brigades, and Fancies. The parade attracts thousands of marchers in extravagant costumes, with some sources stating that the event is comparable to Mardi Gras. The parade has been televised nationally on several occasions, and in 2023, it was live-streamed online. The Mummers are also known to perform at weddings and other events to raise funds. While some people may enjoy the idea of a New Year's Eve wedding, others may find it inconvenient due to increased travel costs and the possibility of clashing plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pros | Fun, party atmosphere, guests can wear NYE fashion, open bar |
| Cons | Expensive travel and accommodation, guests may have prior plans, difficult for guests with children, guests may have to leave early to join friends for midnight |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mummers Parade on New Year's Day in Philadelphia
The Mummers Parade is an iconic New Year's Day tradition in Philadelphia. It is the oldest continuous folk parade in the United States, dating back to 1901. The parade brings together over 10,000 Philadelphians of all ages, who march in extravagant costumes, putting on a show for spectators. The parade route typically starts at Philadelphia's City Hall and heads south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue.
The Mummers Parade is a unique and festive celebration, with participants belonging to over 40 organised clubs or "New Year's Associations". These clubs fall into five categories: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades. Each group prepares elaborate costumes, performance routines, and movable scenery, which take months to create. The clubs compete against each other, incorporating satire and commentary on social issues, institutions, and public figures into their performances.
The parade is free to attend, but tickets can be purchased for bleacher seating at the City Hall Performance Zone. The Mummers Parade is a family-friendly event, attracting both locals and visitors alike. It is a beloved tradition in Philadelphia, with deep roots in the city's history. The term "Mummer" itself comes from the German word meaning "to costume, pantomime, or masquerade."
The Mummers Parade is more than just a spectacle; it is a significant part of Philadelphia's cultural heritage. The tradition originated from ancient Roman laborers who marched in masks during the festival of Saturnalia, exchanging gifts and satirizing contemporary issues. Later, Swedish settlers in the 1600s continued the custom by dressing up and chanting to their neighbours for dessert and liquor during Christmas celebrations. The parade route has changed over the years, previously travelling northward on Broad Street until 1995 when construction work rerouted it to Market Street.
The Mummers Parade is a highly anticipated event, with many Philadelphia-area families participating in Mummery across generations. The parade is a source of pride and joy for the city, and its impact extends beyond the boundaries of Philadelphia, with multiple television stations airing the parade throughout its history. The parade is not just about the performances and costumes; it's about community, creativity, and the preservation of a long-standing tradition that continues to evolve and captivate audiences year after year.
Bradford-Rachel Wedding: A Day to Remember
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mummers Parade route and viewing spots
The Mummers Parade is an annual New Year's Day tradition in Philadelphia, held since 1901. It is the oldest continuous folk parade in the United States. The parade features nearly 10,000 participants from local clubs, known as "New Years Associations" or "New Years Brigades", who compete in various performance categories. The parade route typically begins at 17th and Market Streets, near City Hall, and proceeds counterclockwise around City Hall before continuing south down Broad Street to Washington Avenue. This 1.5-mile stretch offers several viewing spots for spectators.
The parade includes designated stationary performance spots along Broad Street at Sansom, Pine, and Carpenter Streets. These locations provide free viewing areas, and lawn chairs are permitted. The performance areas at Sansom, in front of the Union League, and Pine Street are particularly popular and tend to draw large crowds. For those seeking a guaranteed spot, ticketed reserved seating is available at the official Parade Bleacher Seating near the judging stand on the west side of City Hall at Dilworth Park. These tickets can be purchased in advance for $25.
The Mummers Parade is a colourful and quirky celebration with a long history in Philadelphia. It evolved from New Year's traditions brought by various immigrant groups, including Swedish, Finnish, Irish, German, English, and African immigrants. The parade features elaborate costumes, music, and performances by different clubs, each with its unique style and theme.
The parade typically begins at 9 am and concludes between 5 and 6 pm, making it a day-long celebration. To accommodate the event, several road closures and parking restrictions are implemented along the parade route. SEPTA bus routes may also be altered or detoured, so spectators are advised to check the SEPTA website or mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Wedding Flowers: Choosing the Perfect Blooms for Your Big Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mummers Parade history and tradition
The Mummers Parade is an annual parade held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on New Year's Day. It is the oldest continuous folk parade in the United States, with the first formal, city-sponsored parade dating back to 1901. However, the history of Mummery in Philadelphia goes back much further. The parade traces its roots to the mid-17th century, influenced by Swedish, Finnish, Irish, English, German, African, and other European heritages. The name "Mummers" is derived from the Mummers' plays performed in Philadelphia in the 18th century by the working class during Christmas celebrations.
The Mummers Parade has its roots in the traditions of early European colonists in the Philadelphia area. Swedes and Finns brought the custom of visiting neighbours on "Second Day Christmas" (December 26) to Tinicum, soon extending these celebrations through New Year's Day with costumed parades. These celebrants would appoint a "speech director" who performed a traditional dance and rhyme:
> Here we stand before your door,
> As we stood the year before;
> Give us whiskey; give us gin,
> Open the door and let us in.
> Or give us something nice and hot
> Like a steaming hot bowl of pepper pot!
In the 17th and 18th centuries, firearms were commonly discharged during the celebrations, leading to the name "New Year's Shooters and Mummers Museum". However, as this tradition grew more dangerous, firearms were eventually left at home.
Over time, the Mummers Parade evolved and became more elaborate. The first string band, Trilby, was organised in 1898 and first participated in the parade in 1902. The parade has been cancelled only three times: in 1919 due to the Spanish Flu epidemic, in 1934 due to the Great Depression, and in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the Mummers Parade is a grand tradition with ten thousand participants and hundreds of thousands of viewers. The parade features five divisions: The Comic, The Fancy, the Wench Brigade, the String Band, and the Fancy Brigade Divisions. Each division has its own unique characteristics, costumes, and performances. The Fancy Brigade, for example, utilises small floats, live music, and brightly coloured costumes. The String Bands feature larger, well-orchestrated performances with themed costumes, written music, and choreographed dances.
Who's Representing the US at Harry's Wedding?
You may want to see also
Wedding guest travel and accommodation costs
While it is not generally expected that you cover your guests' costs, there are ways to help ease the financial burden on your guests. If you are planning a destination wedding, it is important to recognize that travel and accommodation costs can be expensive for your guests.
Firstly, it is important to provide your guests with ample notice about your wedding plans so that they can save and plan accordingly. You can also help your guests save on travel expenses by looking into group rates for flights or transportation. Some airlines offer discounts for group bookings, so it may be worthwhile to contact a few airlines to ask about this. If your guests will need to travel by car to get to your wedding, you can hire a bus to transport them to and from the wedding.
When it comes to accommodation, you can reserve a block of hotel rooms at a discounted rate for your guests. Another option is to consider hiring a villa for you and your guests to stay in, as this can sometimes work out cheaper than a hotel. If a number of guests are travelling on the same flight, you can put them in contact with each other so they can share the cost of a taxi or arrange for a minibus to pick them up.
Additionally, you may want to consider the impact of your wedding date on your guests' travel plans. For example, hosting a wedding on New Year's Eve can be a fun way to celebrate, but it's important to recognize that travel and accommodation costs may be higher during this time, and some guests may have prior plans or difficulties with childcare. It is also important to ensure that your venue will allow guests to stay past midnight.
Finally, it is worth considering the expectations around gifts. While your presence is a gift in itself, some couples may expect gifts on top of the costs incurred by guests to attend the wedding. If your guests are spending a lot to attend your wedding, you may want to lower the expectations around gifts.
Will & Nate's Wedding: A Love Story Website
You may want to see also
Wedding guest availability and preferences
When it comes to guest availability and preferences for a New Year's Eve wedding, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that NYE is a popular holiday for celebrations and gatherings, and your guests may already have prior plans or traditions that they will need to forgo in order to attend your wedding. This is especially true for guests with children, as childcare can be challenging to secure during this time. Additionally, travelling during the holiday season can be more expensive and inconvenient, with higher prices for hotels, transportation, and other accommodations. These factors may influence your guests' availability and their preferences for attending a NYE wedding.
To mitigate these concerns, it is advisable to provide guests with ample notice by sending out invitations well in advance. This will allow your guests to make the necessary arrangements and potentially include them in their holiday plans. It is also beneficial to choose a venue that can accommodate your guests past midnight, ensuring that they can properly ring in the New Year. Providing accommodations or suggesting affordable options nearby can also alleviate some of the travel concerns for your guests.
While some guests may prefer to celebrate NYE in a more low-key setting, others may be excited to attend a wedding on this festive night. To cater to your guests' preferences, it is essential to create a fun and engaging atmosphere. This includes providing good food, an open bar, amazing music, and opportunities for your guests to interact and socialise. If most of your guests are local, this can increase the likelihood of attendance and enhance the overall celebratory vibe.
Additionally, it is important to consider the overall guest experience. Guests may appreciate having a mix of activities or events to participate in throughout the night. For example, some guests may enjoy dancing, while others may prefer a more relaxed setting where they can socialise. By offering a variety of options, you can cater to different preferences and ensure that your guests have a memorable time.
Lastly, it is worth noting that some guests may have concerns about competing priorities during the holiday season. By choosing a date close to NYE or even hosting a New Year's-themed wedding shortly after, you can still create a festive atmosphere without the challenges and expenses associated with the exact date. This allows you to embrace the celebratory spirit while potentially improving guest availability and reducing financial burdens on your guests.
Cold Feet: Will He Call Off the Wedding?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Mummers Parade is a New Year's Day tradition that started in 1901 in Philadelphia. Local clubs, usually called "New Years Associations" or "New Years Brigades", compete in various categories like Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, and String Bands. They prepare elaborate costumes, performance routines, and movable scenery, which take months to complete.
The Mummers Parade travels through different streets in Philadelphia. It has been held on Broad Street, Market Street, and 2nd Street, also known as "Two Street" by locals.
The parade typically starts in the morning, around 9 AM, and ends before 8 PM. The Fancy Brigades perform at noon and hold a second judged show at 5 PM.
You can view the parade from the street level without any tickets. However, there are specific stops with performances where it can be hard to see, and grandstand tickets would be helpful.
While there is no definitive answer, it is possible that Mummers clubs may be hired to perform at weddings and other events as a way to raise funds. However, travel and accommodation expenses for both the Mummers and the wedding guests should be considered, as prices tend to be higher during holiday periods.
