Sunday, January 8, 2012

Mummers Day Parade


The Mummers parade is a celebration of the New Year but is serious business in Philadelphia.  Clubs work on the costumes and practice all year for their one day in the sun (…wind, rain or snow).
This year temperatures were in the 50'sF.  Gorgeous day for a parade!

 Mummers are men and women of all ages who belong to one of 44 social clubs that make up the organization. The clubs, split into four divisions — Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades 


There is hockey where ever I go!!!

Cowardly Lion from Wizard of Oz

String Bands are judged on their musical presentation as well as the costumes.  Seeing and hearing a String Band performing live in the parade is a one-of-a-kind experience.

 The costs for making the outfits plus fees to choreographers and prop designers often far exceed the prizes available. While club fund raisers, hall rentals and bank loans often cover much of the expense, individual members frequently spend hundreds or thousands of dollars of their own money.




Toy Story (soldiers) Theme

Alice in Wonderland Theme
Mad Hatter

My husband took these photos.  If you'd like to see more, please click on: Todd's Photography Blog.




16 pretty purplexing comments:

  1. Sounds like an absolutely delightful way to spend the day. What GORGEOUS colorful costumes. The characters are awesome. I have never heard of Mummers. What a stunning parade that must have been. Your husband took BEAUTIFUL photographs. Glad you had a GREAT time. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Ahhhh, The Mummers! A Phila tradition. I will always remember going to see the parade when I was about 6 or 8. OMG it was freezing that day but I was so excited to be there.
    What beautiful photos. The costumes were amazing this year. Glad I found your blog.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  3. Ahhhh, The Mummers! A Phila tradition. I will always remember going to see the parade when I was about 6 or 8. OMG it was freezing that day but I was so excited to be there.
    What beautiful photos. The costumes were amazing this year. Glad I found your blog.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  4. Wow great pictures Todd! Such a cool parade, the costumes are top notch.....love the ice cream ones best.

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  5. Wonderful pictures! Sehr schön!

    Liebe Grüsse
    Regula

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  6. I love these pictures. They all made me smile and it was wonderful to show them to my husband. He is from Philiy and only moved to the UK this year to be with me. This was a little slice of home for him. Thank you.

    Mollyxxx

    Ps... My google ID is linked to my adult blog but I am here as my 365 project which you can find...

    http://365.mollysdailykiss.com/

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  7. The costumes are absolutely stunning! You did a wonderful job capturing the beauty and magic of the parade.

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  8. These pictures are so much more than fun - so lively and energetic. I'm wishing I was there.
    Happy Sunday and new week!

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  9. Thanks for the parade. Mummers! I enjoyed your collection of photographs.

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  10. Hi Tami, thank you for sharing those photos they are AMAZING!! So much colour and life in midwinter is such a great thing to see.

    I wanted to stop by and say hi and thank you for commenting on my blog earlier this week (you'll see why I've been a bit lax if you read my post today!)

    Best wishes, Pam

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  11. Thanks everyone for your comments! I must mention that the pictures were taken by my husband. He isn't a professional, but I think he is pretty darn close to one! =)

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  12. The Mummers put on a great show! Very stylish. I remember seeing them years ago on TV. Never forgot how great they are. And Todd's photos are FAB!!!

    My favorites: the girl in picture #2 (reminds me of me in a way!).. and the one with all the confetti in the air. Just loved this post! xoxo

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  13. Those costumes are just exquisite. Love the bright colours. What a lovely way to spend a day. I'd never heard of it before.

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  14. Super photos! I would love to see that live! The costumes are stunning!

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  15. What an amazing parade. WOW! WOW! WOW! I do believe I am adding seeing The Mummers Day Parade to my list of places to visit and things to see before I pass beyond this world.

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