Dozens of costumed performers took to the streets of their southern Philadelphia stronghold for a New Year’s celebration of the Mummers tradition, far from the usual parade route and despite the official cancellation of the annual event due to the pandemic.
Defying the ban on large gatherings, participants in brightly colored costumes, some with painted faces, paraded on Second Street on Friday, following trucks playing string bands or popular music.
Some wore masks, but many did not. Others marched with them wearing “South Philly Still Struts” sweatshirts. WPVI-TV reported that other groups of Mummers marched through other sections of southern Philadelphia.
Mayor Jim Kenney announced in July that the city would not grant licenses for planned outdoor events with more than 50 people, effectively canceling the grand annual parade and other events as officials struggled to contain the spread of the virus. Some Mummers leaders and organizations have also asked members to stay at home.
Costumed participants take to the streets of their concentration camps in southern Philadelphia for a New Year celebration of the tradition of the Mummers, despite the official cancellation of the annual event and the ban on large meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, 1st January 2021 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo / Ron Todt)
City spokeswoman Lauren Cox said there were no major problems on Friday, but said that seeing pictures of many participants without masks was “very worrying, given the severity of the current wave of the pandemic”.
“Anyone who has been in or near large crowds today should be tested five to seven days after the activity, stay away from others for 10 days and continue to monitor symptoms for 14 days,” she said.
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The Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported that two previous attempts in the parade’s 119-year history to cancel it – in 1919 due to the flu pandemic and in 1934 due to the Great Depression – did not go well. In both cases, the Mummers still took to the streets to celebrate.
The usual celebration seen by thousands each year features string bands, comedic brigades, elaborate floats and lots of feathers and sequins, but it has also drawn persistent criticism throughout its long history of racist displays of black faces and other inappropriate or offensive behavior. some participants.
After last year’s parade, Kenney threatened to close it if the parade organizers did not clear his number.
Costumed participants take to the streets of their concentration camps in southern Philadelphia for a New Year celebration of the tradition of the Mummers, despite the official cancellation of the annual event and the ban on large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, 1st January 2021 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo / Ron Todt)
While online supporters of a celebration on Friday called it a protest against Kenney’s decision – and critical signals to the mayor could be seen – some said they were simply participating in a very local celebration. That was the opinion expressed by JP Pasterino, 39, talking to relatives as protesters from various groups passed through Second Street.
“This is our neighborhood, this is a celebration. It’s more for us than it is for people, so we’re still going to show up, let’s get as socially distant as we can and do what we do, ”said Pasterino, who lives in southern New Jersey, returns to town to celebrate with his cousins.
“It’s a family day, not just a party,” he said. “We all go down, go to each other’s house and celebrate. You can’t live in fear.”
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“Two Street”, where many clubs have their headquarters, is home to a traditional welcome celebration after the Broad Street event that lasts until late at night.
Kristen Boone 36, said it was more the feeling of Friday’s event.
“It’s more like a neighborhood thing when you go down Second Street,” said Boone, sitting on a porch watching the protesters as the music of a string band echoed from a nearby truck. Recognizing that the traditional post-parade celebration filling the street would not be a good idea this year, she was pleased to see the local tradition continue.
“It used to be, like, door to door, so seeing is so cool,” she said.
The Mummers Parade, considered the oldest folk festival in the country, originates from a mixture of immigrant traditions, some dating from the 1640s, nicknamed “mummer”, probably from the German word for “mask”. It mixes the traditions of Scandinavian immigrants who received the new year with shots, of the English and Welsh who had fun with masquerades and of the Germans who were credited with introducing Santa Claus to his new environment.
Black residents who arrived after the Civil War added the signature strut along with “Oh! Dem Golden Slippers,” the theme song for the parade. The parade became an official city-sponsored event in 1901.
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The traditional show now includes competition in four categories: comics, satirists; Fancies, with the most showy clothes; Fancy Brigades, with choreographed plays; and String Bands, the dancing musicians.
After the parade, the show traditionally moves to a closed venue for a show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center – and yet, it’s not over. After the formal program, Mummers and his fans traditionally gather in southern Philadelphia for a celebration that lasts until late at night.