PHILADELPHIA – It’s the colorful costumes, the stimulating music, the party atmosphere, and of course, the Philadelphia Mummers that brought people to the city’s streets for a grand kickoff in this New Year’s 114th annual Mummers Day Parade.
It’s a Philadelphia tradition that has stuck with the city and its residents for so long, mostly because it’s such a cultural staple to such a cultural area. Involving thousands of dedicated people that work year round for the final production, the day’s events and festivities last all day. Categories such as the Comic Brigades, the Fancies, and of course the string bands, each instill different and uniquely entertaining memories for all ages.
The Comic Brigades are the most raucous. Groups from all over the city form themed marches down the streets of Philadelphia and often in outrageous costumes. These can include as many people as two dozen, to over two hundred in some cases. But once they are finished the near two mile straight shot into center city, it is the floats’ turn to parade up with their impressive and individually made costumes. After that, the string bands perform. One could compare these sights to something a person might see on Broadway; most of these bands take the performance and the competition very seriously. The audiences aren’t at all surprised to see confetti cannons, numerous backdrops, great music and choreography, and creative themes in almost all of the performances. Taking first place in the competition today was Quaker City string band. To top off the night, additional indoor competitions with the Fancy Brigades are held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the ones seeking to make it a mummered-out day.
But to put aside the rankings and titles, each band or brigade, right down to every individual, participated in something that will hopefully be carried on for many years to come. It’s a great day, full of history and culture that makes Philadelphia what it is and always has been. It may be the members of the string band posing with wide eyed kids, or the E-A-G-L-E-S chant that randomly broke out among the entire parade, but the Mummers Parade is something the city can definitely be proud of.
The following is a complete list of the 2014 Mummer’s Parade Results:
String Bands
Quaker City
Hegeman
South Philadelphia
Woodland
Fralinger
Ferko
Avalon
Polish American
Aqua
Uptown
Pennsport
Duffy
Greater Kensington
Broomall
Greater Overbrook
Durning
Trilby
Wench Brigades
Oregon
Pirates
Bryson
Cara Liom
Riverfront
O Malley
Froggy Carr
Saints
Comics Division
Murray
Goodtimers
Landi
Fancy Division
Golden Sunrise
Hog Island
Fancy Brigade
Shooting Stars
Jokers
Downtowners
South Philly Vikings
Golden Crown
Satin Slippers
Saturnalian
Avenuers
Clevemore
Spartans
2nd St. Shooters