This is your space to express yourself. pro, con, sentimental or full of invective.If you have something interesting to say, send it to me.         email
Your email address and name will not be used unless you request it. You will not be spammed by us, and we will not sell your address to others.

I'll put my comments in red   - Mike

1/5/06

Hi:

I'm looking for information about the Francis Parker New Year Association. I believe it was in effect in 1898 and 1899.

Do you know of anyone who can give me any information about what I believe is a comic club? I'm trying to find out if they were part of the pre-formal Mummers Parade?

Thank you.

Roseann

2/17/04
I finally found a place where I can complain.

I moved to Florida 16 years ago. And I want to
know WHY WE CAN'T SEE THE PHILA. MUMMERS PARADE
on TV ?????

All the other parades make it to prime time and I think the
mummers parade is the best parade in the country.

I used to see in front of the TV all day and watch that
parade. New Years day has not been the same since.

The last parade I saw was 1988 and I video taped it, so
I can still have fun on New Years day.

Get that parade on TV and please let me know.

Thanks
Joan

1/4/04
It was a great parade, I am from Miami and had never seen a parade like this before. It sure beats those floats - Y K

1/11/03
When i was growning up that was the best thing about the parade. They didn't care what the weather was like the parade still went on. Going down broad st is another thing I miss. Well i can tell you one thing it just ain't the same. - Jennifer - South Philly - 2 st baby!!!!!!!

1/5/03
Because a single comment on this page two years ago mentions the Slick Ducks, this page shows up number one in Google and Yahoo in searches for them. I am not associated with any mummers association, but I'm happy to provide a forum to discuss this issue.

I grew up in Philly, but moved out thirty years ago. You can go here to see my photo report on the Comics last trek up Broad Street.

___________________________

From CNN 1/4/03: "Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street said Friday that he thought the skit was offensive, but that there wasn't much he could do to stop it. "I am personally offended by this and regret that under the Constitution I am limited by what I am able to do about it," Street said in a statement. "I encourage the brigade to rethink the theme for its performance..."

Sick Priests, Slick Mayor, Slicker Ducks -I agree...please rethink what you're doing....and please add the Mayor to your skit chasing the Ducks with his hair on fire and a stick up his ass. What an ass..disparaging the Constitution in favor of an organization positively criminal in it's protection of pedophiles.God Bless America..God Bless the Constitution...and God Bless the Ducks! Amen.-SDS Austin TX

1/4/03
The plans by the Slick Ducks to satirize the whole recent revelations of sexual abuse of children by priests and the subsequent cover-ups by the bishops has brought several comments to my site.

The satirical sketch is reported to includes priests being chased by police officers and nuns in a go-go cage. Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua in a statement called on Catholics to "express their displeasure" with the skit,

WPHL-TV said it would cut away to commercials when the Slick Ducks perform. General manager Leslie Glenn called the routine "disgusting" and said showing it would offend viewers.

"That is the whole point of the comics. It is political satire," said Eddie Hall, a Mummer and longtime comic who supervises the parade division that includes the Slick Ducks. "This is a group of people who are really ticked off about the scandal, and they want to make that known." -AP
______________________________

1/4/03

You are a disgrace to the Catholic Church. - Stan

___________________________

A Vote of Encouragement - I love it, the satire thing with the Priest. Keep up the truth. Just because they are Catholic doesn't make them any less human and capable of evil. Catholics were heavily involved in burning women as witches, and gee, uh the Crusades comes to mind. Let us not forget that Catholics represent all forms of humanity, good and evil.- Fox

_______________________

The Catholic Thing - Thank you for your courage! The Bishop has a lot of nerve complaining about a small group who satirizes a crisis while he, for years, turned the other way whilethe most organized group of pedophiles that everexisted did YEARS of damage to their beloved flock! - KF

______________________________

Not So Slick Ducks! - How ridiculous....the slick ducks say they lied about doing the priest pardoy to get publicity....that is so sad! They are an awful divison that aren't creative or talented enough to compete so they have to make up things to get any coverage! No one even considers them true mummers. My homemade Halloween costume was better than that!!!
The Ducks suck!!! - Adrienne N

________________________________

Good Luck to the Ducks - I'm Catholic, went to 12 years of Catholic School, and I was an altar boy. Lucky for me, I was never abused by a priest. I did have to call in for backup when the priest showed up to mass drunk though. I want to thank to Slick Ducks for keeping the spirit of Philly tastless humor alive. If the Church did it's job in the first place, the Slick Ducks would be doing something else. The Church needs to get off it's high horse and get over it. Hey, maybe if they got "some" now and then the Church's Bishops and Cardinals would not be so uptight.- Mark W


Slick Ducks Floundering - As with all things mummer related, the slick ducks upcoming priest skit is a sad attempt at getting some publicity. It's sad that they need to resort to insulting, embarrassing, and angering the few people in their neighborhood that actually see the skit.
Where's the parade at? What are the mummers? Who cares?- Joe S.

_________________________

Making fun of a sad situation is sick. Most Roman Catholic Priests are serving God in an honorable way. - anonymous

1/1/03
As a devout Catholic I am horrified by the idea that you find our pain and suffering over this scandle something to make jest of. Shame on you and all your sponsors. -PJ

____________________________

1/5/2001
Oh, my golden slippers...... Just wanted to thank 2nd street for the memories!!! THE BEST PARADE IN AMERICA.
Party until the New Year, strut up Broad, then down to 2; here comes the bands (I'm dancing now),
miss S. Philly. Have a cheesesteak for me.

JOHN SOUTH NEW JERSEY - COLORADO

1/1/2001

As a behind the scene mummer ( I create, design, and sew ) for the Slick Ducks of Glenside for about ten years now. I think the Comics are not getting their share in front of the cameras any more. They take time and their own money for their costumes just like the fancy brigades, but they don't copy off of well known things like the Downtowners did this year. When I was in Disney this year I went to the Parade of Nations and the firworks display, in Epcot when I saw the Downtowners with my family we all said theat it was a rip-off from there. My Favorite memory of the parade was my husband playing his part as the Last Cabbage Patch Doll, 1984 with him being 6'10" tall he look so nice, funny, but nice and the club didn't even get on TV. But he and the rest of the club looked good. My husband passed away this year ( May ) and my kids and myself will aways have our memories of him in his costumes on New Years Day, and we thank the Mummers for allowing him to be a part of that..

Ruth Loughlin 2001

1/6/99
See an account of the 2000 Parade.

12/24/99

As a former Mummer myself,I found the web site to be most enjoyable. I used to be Musical Director of the Aqua String Band back in the mid 1960's, however Uncle Sam took me away from Philly. I live in Michigan now , but my sister still lives in Bridgeport,Pa. For the past five years she has taped the String band portion of the parade and sent it to me. I have to admit things have really changed since way back, but the sounds and costumes I guess will always be in my heart. Hope you have a very successful 2000 parade. I'm looking forward to getting my VHS tape again this year. Sincerely, PAUL M

11/16/99
Here's an editorial comment someone sent in about the
controversy surrounding new parade route.
I don't know anything about this Deputy Mayor K. Feeley,
the views expressed are purely Kevin's.


The Mayor's flunky,Deputy Mayor K. Feeley, stated yesterday, that the Parade will begin near Independence Mall at Fifth and Market St.. The judging stand Known as "A" will be set up on 15th. Street, with the reviewers facing north and the Mummers vying for prizes in a southerly direction. The "B" stand will be on Market Street near the corner of 16th Street, and the "C" stand will be slightly farther west, the 1600 block of Market. The traditional judging spot, a piece of it was given away to Marriott Corp., by some strange coincidence, without the people of Phila. Knowing about the giveaway. It is this writers opinion that this is all a political and commercial ploy in having the parade moved to Market Street, to appease all the new business's along Market. I feel it is a shame and an affront to all the business's along Broad and also to the Hospitals, where the patients could see the parade from their windows and enjoy a release for a few minutes of their worries and pains, to celebrate the New Year too. Oh well so much for my soapbox diatribe I thank you for a wonderful site....... Kevin

11/13/99 This thoughtful comment from a South Philly resident named Barbara, just came in. From her I learned that the 1999 parade was the last strut up Broad Street for the Mummers. I'm glad I was able to at least document the end of that era. They are now going to march on Market Street. A street I associated with the more commercial and sponsored events, like the Thanksgiving parade, a parade about selling products, something the Mummers of old were never really about.

Click the photo to read Barbara's Mummers Memories

8/22/99
This one came in from the Philippine Islands.
I'm putting it up completely unedited. I think it's great.

Here is a bit of Mummers history and 
pictures from this years parade that was sent to me by Joe Gallagher of the NorthEast Mummers

2/9

This is in response to my taking a string band photo from his site
 
There is absolutely no problem at all with you using any of
Hegeman's pictures off of our web page.
In fact,  its a honor. 
All those years all collecting pictures of each theme
came in handy.  I scanned all of those myself.
I am hoping to have this years pictures up there really soon!

        Tim S

2/8
HiYa,
Please ask yourself if your mummers site design
may tend to exclude people like me
who were not born in Philadelphia and have
never played the banjo.
Your current site is pretty but it does not make it clear
that the Mummers new years march is possibly the
most interesting yearly parade in America.
I know I am asking for a major rethink of your site
which would need to begin with a brief
"flashcard" description of the performance categories,
possibly illustrated by some photos of interesting past winners.
I am suggesting that you add a historical / factual branch to your site
& decrease the number of local & personal in-jokes like
"But,when I was a child in the 50's...
it seemed much more Drunken and Primal"

The 3 times I have seen part of the Mummers parade on TV
has convinced me that your parade
is the most creative but least known parade in America.
I again ask you to re-invent your site so that the
extraordinary effort that is required for your community
to present a yearly parade of community talent
that lasts at least twice as long as any of the better known parades
like the Rose or Macy's Parade.
You might add to your site an intro describes
each of the many judged categories with
a highlight photo example of a past winner.
ByeYa & thanks for the site.
TJ

I think you may be reacting to this site from it's
description in Netscape's Cool Pick...

"the Philadelphia Mummers Parade -
What some people will wear to cover
their true intentions."

But I called the site
"The Comics of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade".
It is my personal look at, 
maybe the least known aspect of this amazing yearly spectacle,
and my remembrance of what it was like as a child.

I do have links to some really comprehensive Mummers sites,
but I guess I should make them more prominent.
If I had taken some good video of the Fancies and String Bands,
I would have put in some examples of the different divisions.
But I didn't...........

So at the urging of this concerned netizen
I just put up some pages that will give a bit more background
and personal speculation on this
unbelievable yearly outpouring of
creativity and genial madness.

I had to plunder other Mummers' sites for the images
but so far the sites seemed pleased.  (see above)

About this Site
The Fancies
The String Bands

2/7

I was born and raised in South Phila...
it was always a men only parade
until the women fought for the right to enter
and become part of the mummers...
I really don't know how many years ago this might have been...
Like you, I also live out of town now... (Las Vegas)

My son told me about your page and that was one of the first things
that caught my eye... the sweet lady clown.....
Being a woman, I do appreciate the fact that the women
were allowed to be in the parade,
but I am also old fashioned enough to believe that
this was a man's thing
and should
have remained so...

My sons were in the clown division of the parade
(Liberty Clowns), as were various relatives and friends..
These people parade up Broad St and then come back on second street...
This is where a lot of them are from....
On various nights throughout the year they come out to
serenade and march for the neighbors...
While growing up, we had the pleasure of having
one of the neighborhood bands (DURNING STRING BAND)
come marching up our street near 15th and Porter
and play quite a few of their songs.
We loved it... They were practicing their marching and
playing to the delight of the whole neighborhood...
I haven't heard, but I think I will check with some cousins
to see if this is still their practice..... J

Are there any women out there who were among the first
to officially march in the parade? 
How about women who did it covertly before then?
I will put your story up here.

2/3
This site on the Comics was
a Netscape Cool Site today.

I really enjoyed the Mummer's parade website
it caused much laughter for me.
I am from a small town where an annual occurance of
drunken shriners in go-carts,
clowning around and whizzing by
as children dived for candy,
that was being thrown out.
Things like that don't happen anymore
but I remember.

I'd like some pictures of that.

read about it before and really enjoyed seeing the photos.
i did think there was a bigger crowd, tho.
guess people are getting too passive.
even labor day, memorial day and thanksgiving parades
have declining numbers of people watching. thanks.

I wonder if the TV ratings are up or down?

The parade starts too early to be out there freezing
-and it finishes at 9 or so pm!
Long day!!

This is part of it's charm.

I, too, remember old time small town parades -
kids, dogs, bikes, tricycles, little red wagons, peddle cars -
all decorated with whatever could be afforded or found.
And the bands!
The local high school band with the big base drums
and the squad of baton twirling high school girls (my big sister was one)-
the color guard with uniformed service men -
the "Kiltie Band" with their leopard skin head dresses,
the bagpipes skirling into the cold air,
the fancy mallet work by the base drummer (my uncle).
The street vendors with their balloons, cotton candy,
and other wonderful things. Oh yes, I remember.
This site has brought back some of those fond memories of my youth. I still love parades,
especially those that are a bit more eclectic
than the Rose Parade or such.
Here in Long Beach California
there is an annual Gay & Lesbian Pride parade
that is VERY eclectic and a lot of fun.
You might want to think about coming out here for the next one
and do a site, like this one, for that parade.
There are many floats, beads thrown to the crowd,
marching groups such as "The Bears",
The West Hollywood Cheerleaders,
Dykes on Bikes and too many more to list.
It is an experience that should not be missed
by any true parade lover.
My youngest daughter (17) has come to love this parade -
even though she thinks that it is a shame
that so many cute boys are not interested in her!

Peter S
I have invited him to send in a report on that parade.

1947 year born in Lebanon Pa.
Remember the Mummers well but not the comics.
thanks for the nostalgia.
listening to the music while I visit and write.
...an interesting and well put together story
about the other side. somewhat in the theme of the big daddy,
Marti Gras,except for much different reasons.
Bob T
Anybody want to tell some Mardi Gras stories?

It's been over forty years since I worked in Philadelphia
and saw the mummers and learned some of the history
and tradition of the "Walk on New Years Day".
You brought back great memories. Thanks!

1/23   

Thank you. 
It's high time that the COMIC DIVISION
was given the respect it deserves. 
The death march you mentioned on the site is terrible.
We can't slow down, stop and perform
or even mingle with the people on Broad Street
and if we do we get heavily penalized. 

That's the whole joy of the Comics,  their spontaneity
and ability to give and take with the crowd.
Everyone needs a little good natured anarchy in their life.  - mic

The City and especially ED RENDELL
would love nothing more than to see the COMICS disappear.
They seem to forget that we are the originals
and deserve a lot more respect then we get.
The day Rendell leaves office will be the greatest day
in the history of Mummery.
He took a great parade and attempted to ruin it. 
Well, too bad,
it ain't happening.

Glad to hear it.

On a lighter note, this site is tremendous. 
Keep working to make it bigger and better.
If you need help, I'd be glad to assist you.
The kid in the last picture on the seventh page
(in the pink and yellow clown costume) is in our group.

What's the name of the group?
I am happy to give credit to whomever's  picture I've used.

  Great job on the site
Sincerely,    B W

i think the nerve you struck
is no one gives the comics a second thought after "rowdy & drunk". just to have someone give us a thought is very refreshing.

as i stated before I'm a comic and proud of it.we are all not drunk rowdies starting trouble.

My brigade:  Riverfront
has 80 Men and 60 boys. mostly father and sons. this is me and my two boys
we are all hard working family men just having a good time.

I'll keep the link up front and I'll keep an eye on your page
thanks

George L. Banks
Riverfront Mummers NYA

The Philadelphia New Year Shooters and Mummers Home Page

gbanks@zdial.com

1/22

    i missed the freakin string bands
because they changed the freakin order
of the freakin parade again.
aaahhhhhhh.
Yes I know,  that's why I don't have any pictures of them.

1/21

Matt is a college student who is interested in doing some research on the Mummers. If you have any stories you would like to tell him,

send him an e mail.

He promises to share what he finds with us, on these pages.

hello my name is matt pearson

and i attended my first ever mummers day parade this year--i'm from  a little town, warwick, that's on the northeastern tip of MD on the delaware border about 45 miles from philly and had watched it on the tv a lot in years past-- i was home for the holidays- i'm now living and attending school in lafayette louisiana-- i'm getting a masters in english with a folklore concentration-- i have a folklore class this semester called festivals and celebrations and we're reading a book on traditional irish mumming-- my classmates have little or no idea about the south philly parade and i'd like to tell them as much as i  can about it-- i talked with a couple people at the parade and i went to the mummers museum and got information there as well as the book on the philadelphia mummers parade--its called oh dem golden slippers--it's quite a book--anyway aside from the book information i'd like to get accounts from real people like you who attend the parade and/or know people in the parade or participate--it's mardi gras season down here and the similarities to the mummers day parade are striking--the costumes and floats-- also a tradition of going house to house and performing song and asking for or demanding drink-- i talked to a guy at the parade and asked him if people still go house to house on two street and he told me not as much because there has been so much stealing going on-- another similarity is the use of greasepaint/blackface--  there was a huge controversy a couple towns over from here last year because some guys wore blackface/greasepaint-- some characters at the mummers day parade wear blackface don't they--i'd love if you would share stories about your experiences with the mummers parade--what are the changes you've seen and how do you feel about them--i was surprised to see so many women in the divisions--my email adress is anantnap@hotmail.com  your website's an entertaining one  hope to hear from you,  matt pearson

1/20

This is a real treat for a former Philly boy.
I have thought it would be great to get a string band
out to burning man in the neveda desert
and show them how to party philly style

Hmmm... Let   me see?
I am harnessed to 100 pounds of ostrich feathers,
it is 110 degrees and my banjo is out or tune.

Am I happy?

I moved out to
Sausalito from Philadelphia in 1989.

I used to take my daughter to the parade every new years
until we moved out here when she was 12.
she is now ready to graduate college.
My son has never been to a Mummers day parade.
One of these new years I will journey east
to add to his cultural education.

the snow on the ground reminded me
of how freezing it can be.
My father used to have an office
at ground floor level at Broad and South.
We used to watch the parade from
the warmth of the front window.

see you at bman
the sheik

 

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