Start strutting: It's Mummers time
Philadelphia City Hall and political coverage from the Philadelphia Inquirer City Hall bureau.
Start strutting: It's Mummers time
Marcia Gelbart
You might say the "ones" have it.
Philadelphia on Jan. 1 - that's 1/1/11 - is preparing to host the 111th Mummers Parade, and city officials are billing it as the most family- and spectator-friendly event yet.
For starters, bleachers, bathrooms and food will be available at all six performance areas, which this year also includes Pine and Broad Streets. The others will also be along Broad, at Shunk, Wolf, Washington, and Sansom, and at 15th and Market Streets.
About 10,000 Mummers are expected to participate.
The parade is set to kick off at 10 a.m. at Broad Street and Washington Avenue.
Announcing the details of this year's parade this morning, both Mayor Nutter and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady also vowed to do what they can to move the Show of Shows, which takes place in March, from Atlantic City to Philadelphia. "We're going to raise the money," Brady said, adding the indoor show would appeal to older Philadelphians including his 86-year-old mother.
The parade this year will cost an estimated $91,000 in city services, according to the city's Mummers Parade Director, Leo Dignam. Those expenses are expected to be paid from a fund Brady helped create that he said is flush enough to cover expenses for the Mummers and city ethnic parades for five years. Organizers of those events no longer have to pay for police overtime because of a recently passed City Council bill.
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Worst. Tradition. Ever.— azzuri- You must live in the Burbs. You wil never get it. Stay home— Shooby
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- you are so wrong! its one of the best parts of living in philly!— jlander
- Love it! Not sure I understand why there will be viewing stations at Shunk and Wolf if it starts at Washington. I'm assuming it's still the traditional route starting at Oregon...— EAvila
- The wenches will start at washington ave, the fancy clubs will start at snyder ave, the string bands and fancy brigades will start at oreagon.Enjoy thanks for your support! — crh1969
- Philly has a lot to offer, but this parade is an annual embarrassment. The themes are predictable and not inventive, the props are laughable (check out the Rose Parade if you want to see the real deal), the comics aren't funny...the only thing you could argue are the string bands, which are OK. It has nothing to do with city or suburbs. Most Philadelphians ignore this "tradition" anyway...and it goes on interminably. Get a life.— frinkie
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- Worst. Comment. Ever. Azzuri.— ma3382
- It serves a useful purpose in helping one get over a killer New Year's Eve hangover and its also fun to drink beer on Broad Street!— ChrisInConshy
- In my humble opinion, the Mummers Parade could improve greatly by just getting rid of the comics division. They add absolutely no entertainment value to the parade.— davesju93
- Mom always said if you dont know what your talking about SHUT UP! — crh1969
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- What a waste of time and money....— intelliwoman
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