Philadelphia Mummers Parade 2017: What You Need to Know

As the New Year approaches, so too does one of the region's most iconic traditions: Philadelphia's annual Mummer's Parade. Described by organizers as "the oldest folk festival in the country," the parade has been held every year since 1901.

Mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 40's will greet the mummers and the thousands of fans who hit the streets to watch the historic procession.

The parade is divided into five key divisions of performers: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades. Each division's performances are judged and scored. The festivities will begin at 9 a.m. at the Golden Sunrise Fancy Club steps at City Hall.

The following schedule lists start times for all performers at City Hall, according to event site Mr. Mummer:

• 9:30 AM Golden Sunrise

Wench Division

• 10:00AM Americans
• 10:06AM O’Malley
• 10:13 AM Pirates
• 10:20 AM Saints
• 10:26 AM Cara Liom
• 10:33 AM Oregon
• 10:40 AM Bryson
• 10:46 AM Riverfront
• 10:53 AM Froggy Carr

• 11:00 AM Murray
• 11:40 AM Landi
• 12:20 PM Goodtimers

• 1:00 PM Avalon
• 1:10 PM Duffy
• 1:20PM Ferko
• 1:30 PM South Philadelphia
• 1:40 PM Uptown
• 1:50 PM Pennsport
• 2:00 PM Broomall
• 2:10 PM Durning
• 2:20 PM Hegeman
• 2:30 PM Aqua
• 2:40 PM Quaker City
• 2:50 PM Fralinger
• 3:00 PM Woodland
• 3:10 PM Polish American
• 3:20 PM Greater Overbrook
• 3:30 PM Greater Kensington

• Noon Fancy Brigades enter the parade route at City Hall and march south to Washington Ave.
• Noon Fancy Brigade Family Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
• 5:00 PM Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center
• 8:00 PM Fancy Brigade Finale Telecast on PHL 17

The parade route will progress south on Broad Street from City Hall down to its end at Washington Avenue.

According to Mr. Mummer, the each division will be marching to the following themes:

String Band (name, theme, captain)

1. Avalon, Mumberjacks, Carmen Maniaci

2. Duffy, Tune-A-Fish, Ted Kudrick
3. Ferko, We Stand As ONE, Thomas D’Amore
4. South Philadelphia, Awaken the Dragon, Denny Palandro
5. Uptown, Mr. Future, Jamie Caldwell
6. Pennsport, Tiki Island Jungle Jivin’, Charlie Nicholas
7. Broomall, Clown Town Showdeo, Pat Walton
8. Durning, Gnome Sweet Gnome, Joe Pomante
9. Hegeman, The Golden Gala, John Baron
10. Aqua, Mine Blown!, Ken Maminski
11. Quaker City, Winter Is Coming, Jimmy Good
12 Fralinger, Spellbinding, Scott Wray
13 Woodland, Carnival: Primeiro De Janeiro, Tom Robison
14 Polish American, Villanville Up, Evil Nick Magenta
15 Greater Overbrook, Mum Potion #9, Bill Razzano
16 Greater Kensington, The Band, The Myth, The Legend, Jeff Moyer

Fancy Brigade

1. Purple Magic, Speak Easy, Michael Orlando Jr

2. Clevemore, Oh Those Places You’ll Go, Ralph Tursi
3. Avenuers, Steam Punk, Bob Fitzmaurice
4. 2nd St. Shooters, The New Fire Ceremony, Rich Lind
5. Satin Slipper, Closing Time, John Bielec
6. Jokers, Day of the Dead Celebration, Joe Gallagher
7. Golden Crown, Raindance, Bob Runowski
8. Spartans, Tropical Island, Protectors of the Vibrant Utopia, Drew Averill
9. Shooting Stars, The Phantom’s Masquerade, Michael Adams
10. Vikings, It’s All in Your Mime, Pete D’Amato
11. Downtowners, RIO Festival of Animals, Anthony Stagliano
12 Saturnalian, The Gangs of New York, Jack Hatty Jr.

Wench Brigade (order of march)

1. Americans, American Thriller
2. O’Malley, Mummerjacks
3. Pirates
4. Saints, Hangin’ 10 Surf’s Up
5. Cara Liom, MUM-TOBERfest
6. Oregon, Oregon Ducks
7. Bryson, Losing is Not an Option
8. Riverfront, Going for the Triple Crown
9. Froggy Carr, Game of Frogs

Comics (order of march)

1. Murray
2. Landi
3. Goodtimers

2016 Controversy

The 2016 event was marked by an uptick in homophobic and racist behavior, in particular by the Mummer's group Finnegan New Year's Brigade. One member chanted "F--- the gays!" At another point, members performed a dance sequence which ridiculed Caitlyn Jenner. As a result, the Mummers have said that the 2017 event will require Mummers to participate for the first time in training in cultural sensitivity.

The leaders of the five traditional Mummers divisions released a letter earlier in the month pledging that 2017 would be different.

"We, the Presidents of the five traditional Mummers Divisions, categorically reject expressions of hate
and bigotry. Negative behavior and expression have no place in a parade that celebrates family, working
people and the hopes for the New Year, particularly in a parade that has come to represent the City of
Philadelphia," the letter states. "We hope that people realize that the vast majority of thousands of Mummers strive to put forth entertaining and family-oriented productions. The few who violated the spirit of the community do not represent the majority. However, even a handful is too many. Therefore, we will continue to educate and to promote inclusivity and cultural awareness."

If You Go

It's free to watch the Philadelphia Mummer's Parade, unless you want grandstand seating at the judging area at City Hall. Tickets for that area can be purchased at the Philadelphia Visitors Center located at 5th and Market Street.

Bleacher seating will be provided by many local businesses along the route.

For more information, see the Mummer's website here.

Image via Commons courtesy Tyler McHenry.