Mummers! This is one of the strangest, most fun, coolest traditions I have ever witnessed! I'm not totally clear on the history, but apparently it's believed to be the oldest folk festival in the country, dating back to the mid-17th century. Basically, it's a really big, long parade in which everyone wears silly/elaborate costumes. There is some sort of order to it and awards/prize money for best costumes/performances, but again, I'm unclear about the specifics. I do know that there are divisions: comics (and wenches), fancies, string bands, and fancy brigades. They march down Broad Street (the big, main road that runs north-south through the center of the city), for hours, drinking and having a good time! It's on New Year's Day every year, and lasts from about 10am-8pm. For real! We were there from 11:30am-1:00pm, and we saw part of the comics division and part of the fancies division. The comics were silly and drinking...One of them gave Kylie his umbrella, which she is obsessed with. The fancies wore the most elaborate costumes I have ever seen! I guess they spend months working on their costumes, floats, and routines/performances in their clubhouses. It was really cool and crazy! If you are ever in Philly on New Year's Day, I highly recommend it!
It was also Badger Bowl Game Day!
She wore her Badger cheerleading outfit the whole day...Too bad it didn't help them win! :(
Comics.
Jon and Kylie watching the parade.
Brooks chilling and enjoying the show!
More comics.
Kylie was enthralled.
It's not a real Philly festival until someone breaks out their Eagles flag.
Inflatable gorilla.
Kylie's new umbrella from one of the comics.
The street sweepers come by between divisions.
This is especially important after the comics...Every one of them had a beer in hand that I'm sure eventually ended up on the ground.
Here come the fancies.
Fancies.
See what I mean about elaborate costumes.
Fancies.
Fancies.
More fancies.
Fancy Fish.
No comments:
Post a Comment