Brady steps in to save Two Street

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady is a man who cherishes tradition.

"Once you forget tradition, you forget who you are," he says.

A tradition dear to him is the Mummers. Brady was instrumental in helping plug a $50,000 gap so that today's parade could go on.

And yesterday he came through again, pledging to raise about $73,000 so that an associated New Year's rite - Two Street - will also proceed as planned.

Two Street is more festival and bacchanal than formal procession. After the Broad Street parade, the Mummers gather to strut their stuff, reprise their performances, and dance and party on South Second Street, the site of numerous Mummers clubhouses.

Two Street attracts not only about 10,000 Mummers and their families and fans, but also, depending on the weather, from 40,000 to 60,000 fellow New Year's revelers, according to police estimates.

At a news conference on the west side of City Hall, near the parade reviewing stands, George Badey, attorney for the Mummers Association, said the tradition known simply as Two Street predates the Mummers Parade, with roots that stretch back to colonial times.

"We're thrilled that the tradition of Two Street will go forward," Badey said.

When the city informed Mummers officials that there was no money available to provide police protection and ensure public safety at the event, a call was made to Brady "at the eleventh hour" - specifically Tuesday night, Badey said.

Brady, who was shopping with his wife at the time, didn't hesitate. He pledged to raise the necessary money - more than $70,000 - and made calls to other civic leaders, such as former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, former City Controller Jonathan Saidel, and Comcast executive vice president David Cohen. All eagerly joined the effort, Brady said.

Said Badey of Brady: "He's been a godsend to the Mummers."

The deadline for paying the Two Street bill to the city is the end of March. Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison, who also attended the news conference, said the city was happily cooperating with the Mummers "to keep this tradition alive."

If there's a shortfall, Brady said, he will make it up out of his own pocket.

"We've got $45,000 promised already," Brady said. "I'm confident we'll get it done. I'd hate to see the tradition broken."