27145262
In an area that prides itself on tradition, hundreds wrap it around themselves on New Year’s Day and strut down Broad Street.
The Mummers’ Parade passed its centennial mark years ago, yet still draws thousands who are willing to stand in the freezing cold of an early January morning to catch a glimpse of the pageantry. A 1922 New York Times article claimed — in the days before two-car families and $69 air travel — 500,000 people lined the parade route. The numbers swelled to about two million 20-some years later. Today’s tally is no less impressive as at least 100,000 people rise and shine after a night of New Year’s Eveing to see it in person while countless stay glued to their TVs with a mug of hot coffee.
And still even more arrive days before the Broad Street bonanza for MummersFest at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Dec. 28-31.
Capped off by the Mummers Fancy Brigade Finale Jan. 1, the indoor spectacle draws crowds from all over the country, Kristen Insalaco, of the Devine & Powers Communications Group, who is in charge of travel packages for those attending any of the events over the five days, said.
"We’ve heard from people all over. One woman from New Mexico just called me. Her parents live in Philadelphia and her husband has never been here so she wanted to give him that great Mummers experience with her family," she said, adding groups from as close as the Poconos and as far as Connecticut have called in.
While some may trek across the nation to see the parade, Mummers themselves have marched beyond Broad.
Bill Burke Jr., Philadelphia Fancy Brigade Association vice president, has traveled as far as England and Canada to promote international tourism for Philadelphia and the group.
On a jaunt to the London area in 2005, he and four other captains had to make a trip downtown. Rather than travel on the "tube," the group decided to flaunt its South Philly pride and walk through the streets in full costume — as a multicolored undersea monster, a blue-and-silver mirrored "dark side of the moon" man and a red, black and gold pirate, each costume studded with sequins and feathers.
"People would yell, ‘Hey, you’re the Mummers!’" Burke said of the recognition he received since the group actually got its start in Europe where some still perform — although in a more conservative manner. "They talked to us about how their fathers and parents had been in the Mummers there. It was pretty neat to talk about it."
Burke also recalls a group of about 35 who hopped across the pond from England around New Year’s for tours of the Mummers’ Clubs.
"It’s music they can relate to, even the kids get into it," he said of the international draw. "They’re all looking for a party, no matter where we go in the world. That’s what it’s all about — we get them up dancing and have a good time."
When people can’t get their fill, they go straight to the home of more than 30 costumes dating back to 1903, portraits of past members, memorabilia and photos of parades and clubs.
"We just had visitors from Sweden come in," Burke said of the Mummer Museum, 1100 S. Second St. "It’s the oldest folk art anywhere."
For 31 years it has displayed costumes donated by various clubs and about 2,000 visitors walk through the doors each year to see the finery, spokeswoman Debbie Glovacz, who’s worked at the museum for five years, said.
"It’s family-oriented, and you have families that have worked side-by-side from generation to generation," she said, adding husband Matt has been a member for 27 years and is now part of Golden Sunrise.
One such member is Burke, who grew up at Second and Mifflin streets.
"On my 9th birthday I got my membership. It’s a family thing. I was born and raised in South Philly and I’m expecting a grandchild in February and I expect them to parade with Pop when he or she turns 3," the 57-year-old said of the progeny of son Bill Burke III, who makes his home at Second and Queen streets.
All three generations took membership in the Golden Crown Fancy Brigade, 2022 S. Third St., where Burke was captain for 28 years. He still marches annually down Broad and more recently volunteers at MummersFest.
If you don’t love a parade, but can’t get enough of the rich history that surrounds the group there are several books on the subject, the most recent being "Life, Liberty, and The Mummers" by Ed Kennedy.
The 54-year-old captured a year in the life of the Mummers with a 198-page photo essay. Set to be released this month, the book will be available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com. Shooting began in ’03 when he attended his first parade, not quite knowing what to expect.
"It’s like a G-rated Mardi Gras to me," the New Orleans native said with a laugh.
He was welcomed with open arms and spent the next four years with groups like the South Philly Vikings and the Quaker City String Band.
The Elkins Park resident said similarities between his hometown’s famed Mardi Gras and our town’s celebrated Mummers’ Parade drew him to the subject, and it was the bond between the Mummers and the community that kept him coming back for more.
"On Second Street, when you get on it, that’s where they’re performing for their own community," he said. "You see that closeness, that sense of community. I wrote in my book that South Philly would cease to exist without the Mummers — they both support each other."
Many members date the start of the Mummers to the 1600s — before William Penn even set foot in the soon-to-be Keystone State.
"The Swedes of what’s now known as Queen Village would go around and put on plays from house to house," Burke said. "Then they would be invited in to eat and have a few beers. That’s how the tradition got started — by being with neighbors celebrating — and the tradition continues to what you see today."
In the 1870s, groups organized with comic and fancy-dress clubs forming, becoming the first versions of today’s Mummers. Parades became the focus in the 1880s, with the prize of $25 being awarded in the ’88 contest on South Broad. Baked goods, food and beer from local taverns served as prizes, as well.
A year after the city recognized the parade in 1901, string bands joined the lineup and in 1903 minstrel Charles Dumont introduced "Oh! Dem Golden Slippers," which has become a signature song for the group.
In 2000, the Mummers were rerouted from Broad to Market Street, but made their way back in ’04.
The Mummers have not stopped growing. Just this year, a new group called the Pennsport String Band formed, with a different take.
"We are a new type of string band," President Robert Simiriglio, a former member of the Durning String Band who will march in his 34th parade this year, said.
The 45-year-old who grew up on 19th and Ritner streets said the different format — with no dues or duties — came from the wishes of its 43 members who wanted to continue Mummering without the intense commitment.
"It’s all paid for out of pocket," he said. "We don’t do many jobs or parades. We keep expenses low. There’s no clubhouse. A lot of members still wanted to march New Year’s Day, but they are people who like to spend summers with their families. Some string bands have jobs weekly, but a lot of us don’t have that kind of time. We decided this would be a fun thing to do, an easy thing and cheap."
No matter who struts or how many years pass, the Mummer family tree is planted — and firmly rooted — in South Philly.
"I could take a picture of a crowd at the New Year’s Day parade, and to find out who that person was, go back to South Philly, stop at a bar or some place and ask, ‘Does anybody know who this is?’ And they’d say, ‘Oh yeah, go down two blocks to the right. It’s my cousin’s friend’s sister,’" Kennedy said. "Even if you’re not a Mummer, you know somebody who is. They have a real connection with the community."
