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Dozens of costumed performers have taken to the streets of their south Philadelphia to celebrate the New Year of Mummer lore, away from the usual parade route and despite the annual event being officially canceled due to the pandemic.
Defying the ban on large gatherings, participants dressed in brightly colored costumes, some with painted faces, marched on Second Street on Friday, following trucks blaring a string orchestra or popular music.
Some wore masks, but many did not. Others walked with them wearing “South Philly Still Struts” sweatshirts. WPVI-TV reported that other Mummer groups marched in other sections of South Philadelphia.
Mayor Jim Kenney announced in July that the city would not grant permits for planned outdoor events with more than 50 people, thus canceling the annual grand parade and other events as officials struggled to contain the spread virus. Some Mummers leaders and organizations have also asked their members to stay home.
Costumed participants take to the streets of their south Philadelphia to celebrate the New Year of the Mummer tradition despite the annual event being officially canceled and large gatherings banned due to the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, January 1 2021 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo / Ron Todt)
City spokeswoman Lauren Cox said there was no major problem on Friday, but said seeing photos of many participants without masks was “of great concern, given the severity of this wave. current pandemic “.
“Anyone who has been in or near large crowds today should get tested five to seven days after activity, stay away from others for 10 days, and continue to watch for symptoms for 14 days,” he said. she declared.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported that two previous attempts in the parade’s 119-year history to cancel it – in 1919 due to the flu pandemic and in 1934 due to the Great Depression – had not gone well. unrolled. Either way, Mummers has always taken to the streets to celebrate.
The usual celebration seen by thousands of people each year includes string bands, comic book brigades, elaborate floats, and lots of feathers and glitter, but it has also garnered lingering criticism throughout its long history of black-faced racist postings and other inappropriate or offensive behavior by some participants.
After last year’s parade, Kenney threatened to end it if the parade organizers didn’t clean up their act.
Costumed participants take to the streets of their south Philadelphia to celebrate the New Year of the Mummer tradition despite the annual event being officially canceled and large gatherings banned due to the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, January 1 2021 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo / Ron Todt)
While supporters online of a celebration on Friday called the protest a protest against Kenney’s decision – and critical signs from the mayor could be seen – some said they were just attending a very local celebration. This was the view expressed by JP Pasterino, 39, chatting with relatives as walkers from several groups passed Second Street.
“It’s our neighborhood, it’s a party. It’s more for us than for the people, so we’re always going to show up, we’re going to social distance as we can, and do what we do,” a said Pasterino, who lives in southern New Jersey but returns to town to celebrate with his cousins.
“It’s a day with the family, it’s not just a party,” he said. “We all went downstairs, we go to each other’s house and we party. You cannot live in fear.
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“Two Street”, where many clubs are headquartered, hosts a traditional welcome home celebration after the Broad Street event that lasts late into the night.
Kristen Boone 36, said it was more the feeling of Friday’s event.
“It’s more like a neighborhood thing when he walks down Second Street,” said Boone, sitting on a porch watching the walkers as the music of a string orchestra echoed from a nearby truck. Recognizing that the traditional celebration after the parade packing the street wouldn’t be a good idea this year, she was thrilled to see the local tradition continue.
“It used to be door to door, so seeing is so cool,” she says.
The Mummer Parade, considered the nation’s oldest folk festival, stems from a mix of immigrant traditions, some dating back to the 1640s, nicknamed “mummer” probably from the German word for “mask.” It mixes the immigration traditions of the Scandinavians who greeted the New Year with gun shots, the English and Welsh who entertained themselves with masquerade plays, and the Germans are credited with introducing Santa Claus to their new environment.
Black residents who arrived after the Civil War added the signature with “Oh! Dem Golden Slippers”, the theme song for the parade. The parade became an official city sponsored event in 1901.
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The traditional spectacle now includes the competition in four divisions: comics, satirists; Fantasy, with the most flashy outfits; Fancy Brigades, with choreographed theatrical works; and String Bands, the dancing musicians.
After the parade, the show traditionally moves indoors for a show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center – and even then, it’s not over yet. Following the official schedule, the Mummers and their fans traditionally gather in South Philadelphia for a celebration that lasts late into the night.
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