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Friday, November 7, 2008
What do Budget Cuts Mean For Mummer's Parade?
Mayor Nutter's grim budget cutting plan slashes city funding for a beloved Philadelphia tradition -- the annual Mummers Parade, held each year on New Year's Day.

The city has cut $355,000 that it gives to the Mummers for prize money -- a cut that will apply to the next parade. And George Badey, publicity director for the Philadelphia Mummers Association, said the Mummers are not happy about it.

"It’s drastic to say we’re going to give them no prize money after 108 years," Badey said. "It’s sending the message that they don’t care about us and if the Mummers went away it doesn’t matter."

The prize money covers only a fraction of the costs that clubs incur to participate in the parade. A string band could spend up to $100,000 to compete in the parade and the top prize it could win is about $9,700. Still, Badey said they were promised the money. He said Mummers leadership hopes to talk with the city soon about the decision.

"I would hope the city would sit down and openly acknowledge the importance of the Mummers to the city," Badey said.

Another issue for the Mummers is who will pay police overtime costs on parade day. The mayor's budget plan says the city will be more rigorous about collecting overtime costs for special events. But the mayor's press office said it hasn't been determined yet who will pay for the overtime for the Mummers Parade.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 4:15 PM  Permalink | File Under: Nutter | | Nutter | 153 comments
Comments   
Posted 07:13 PM, 11/07/2008
Scooter
thank god Nutter smartened up, the Mummer free ride is OVER, time to cancel this farce once and for all
Comment removed.
Posted 07:34 PM, 11/07/2008
DC
What is Nutter going to do next? Levy a surtax on cheesesteaks and pretzels. Sheesh!
Comment removed.
Posted 07:52 PM, 11/07/2008
lalaw9833
The Mummers' should have been off the city payroll long ago!
Posted 07:55 PM, 11/07/2008
thefadd
there's lots of lower profile things you could cut but something like this qualifies as dumb...he just stamped his ticket out of office.
Posted 07:56 PM, 11/07/2008
Reprehensible
I am ok with the message about the Mummers going away... permanently. That spectacle is stupid and embarrassing.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:06 PM, 11/07/2008
FlyerNut
"It’s sending the message that they don’t care about us and if the Mummers went away it doesn’t matter." Yup, that's about right.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:07 PM, 11/07/2008
dreinterests
Maybe the mummer's can try to raise money. Hell, you'd think the pubs might help them raise the money.
Posted 08:16 PM, 11/07/2008
coachman22
"I would hope the city would sit down and openly acknowledge the importance of the Mummers to the city," is this guy joking. Watching drunks parade up and down Broad Street on the city's dime is important to people in the city? How about getting off your rear and raising the money yourself. If you dont like it LEAVE THE CITY. We will help you pack!
Posted 08:26 PM, 11/07/2008
hillgang
Every time i go to the Mummers....i hardly see any black folk. So this should not come as a surprise from the black mafia....
Posted 08:30 PM, 11/07/2008
FQ95
If the Mayor wants to cut costs on the Mummers parade than it would only be fair to do the same for all the parades and gatherings. Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and especially the Greek Picnic. Mummers are a timeless tradition that will continue on no matter what.
Posted 08:32 PM, 11/07/2008
jacksplat
Well, being an outsider from Pittsburgh, I've lived in the Burbs of Philly...Elverson/Morgantown, PA. to be exact, for 13 yrs. now. I've watched bits of the parade every year (can't imagine anyone doing the whole thing live...YIKES!) and it eventually gets boring as Hell. I know these people are truely dedicated, but there must be a better way, like parading in the Stadium...Hey, what a great idea!!!
153 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
About Chris Brennan and Catherine Lucey
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002. Since then she has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. For the past two years, she covered the 2007 mayoral election. Now that the battle is over, she has moved down to the City Hall bureau where she will report on the Nutter administration.

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Catherine Lucey
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