Mummers Parade
I grew up in Philadelphia so I am well acquainted with the Mummers. I can remember as a child waking up early, having my Mom bundle me up with layers, and taking the Broad Street Subway into the city to see the parade. After a few years of cold and wind my mom decided to watch the Mummers on TV the easy way.
Mummer is from the old french
momer meaning to wear a mask
or a costumed merrymaker.
Turns out Mummery tradition dates back to 400 BC and the Roman Festival of Saturnalias where Latin laborers marched in masks throughout the day of satire and gift exchange. Reports of unruly groups parading on New Years day in Philadelphia date back before the revolution. Prizes were offered by merchants in the late 1800’s. The first official parade was January 1, 1901 when close to $2000. in prize money was offered from the city.
The Mummers parade is a celebration of the New Year but in Philadelphia it is also very serious business. Each year there is on average 10 – 15,000 participants. Clubs are divided into four divisions: Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigade. The divisions work on the theme, costumes, choreography and music for the parade the entire year, many starting the day after the parade is over. The scoring of the judges is based on a complicated set of rules the marchers must adhere to. Prize money awarded to the clubs is usually reinvested into the group.
The outdoor parade was postponed in 2003, the first time in 13 years. there have been 22 weather-related postponements since 1922. there was no parade in 1919 due to WW1 and in 1934 during the depression the parade was canceled because the prize money was not available.
We carry most of the fabrics that the Mummers use for the elaborate costumes they make,
here are just a few:
View our Dress Fabrics
View our Feathers
