Reason #1. Mummers.
This year I went to my first Mummers Parade ever. I can't believe it took me 24 years of living here, but I did it. The Mummers are hard to describe without actually seeing them. I highly recommend you google yourself some pictures.
According to their website [http://www.phillymummers.com/] The Philadelphia Mummers Parade features unique costumes, music, and pageantry. Crowds line Broad St., from South Philly straight through Center City. The climax of the parade takes place at City Hall and the PA Convention Center where the official judging takes place. The parade itself is one of the longest running traditions in the country. The parade began in 1900 as an official event for the city, however it has been going on since the 1800's as a way to celebrate the New Year.
To explain, there are 5 categories and they dance and perform with fantastically elaborate costumes and portable sets and live music in a huge parade that encompasses the entire city in glory, glitter and men dancing in dresses. There's Comedy, Wench Brigade, Fancies, String Band, and Fancy Brigades. It is, in short an amazing event. There are crowds as far as the eye can see and people dancing in the streets from City Hall to South Street.
The Mummers Dance the entire parade route, there is a specific Mummer dance, it's hard to describe, but they carry umbrellas, usually themed, and bounce them up and down as they dance. The news announcer there said that when you do your Mummer dance, you have to point your two fingers, pointer and middle, and move them up and down to the beat as you dance. I turned to my friend Mark (who loves the Mummers) and asked why they point two fingers, he facetiously responded, "because they're not holding an umbrella." Thanks Mark.
Here are some pictures that I took with my cousin Anna, her boyfriend Amaury, and my friends Mark and Cathy. You can click to see the larger image.
Of course, we're watching a large group of men in white dresses/pirate costumes dancing on by and my cousin Anna says, "Hey! That's my brother-in-law!" We got a random quick shot with Eddie.
Look at that Costume! I LOVE the Peacock feathers!
Look closely at that chicken, those are actual feathers.
Froggies! They were a fun group, also, I estimate they were about a half mile long.
Here are some pictures that I took with my cousin Anna, her boyfriend Amaury, and my friends Mark and Cathy. You can click to see the larger image.
Of course, we're watching a large group of men in white dresses/pirate costumes dancing on by and my cousin Anna says, "Hey! That's my brother-in-law!" We got a random quick shot with Eddie.
Look at that Costume! I LOVE the Peacock feathers!
Look closely at that chicken, those are actual feathers.
Froggies! They were a fun group, also, I estimate they were about a half mile long.
