CAMDEN, NJ (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia tradition will be moving across the Delaware River later this month as neighboring towns in Camden County launch their own Mummers Parade.
“Nothing says South Philly and our Philly neighbors like the Mummers,” said Haddonfield Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich. “The tradition, the artistry, the music – there’s so much there and we haven’t celebrated it on this side.”
On April 29, the sights and sounds of the Mummers will head over to Haddon Avenue for the first-ever string band parade, where 15 bands will strut and perform between Haddonfield and Haddon Township.
It’s designed to introduce visitors to the shops and restaurants along the avenue, in the hope that they’ll return when the feathers and sequins are gone, said Haddon Township Mayor Randy Teague.
“The real draw, economically, I think is tourism and bringing people, like we said, across the bridge and over here or up from Gloucester and down from Burlington Counties to see something new and different,” Bianco Bezich said.
Related
Bezich said they hope Philadelphians will come out and enjoy the entertainment of the string bands like they have for generations. They’re aiming for about 8,000 to 10,000 people to attend.
After the parade ends at the town square in Haddon Township, the string bands will continue to perform at sponsoring shops and restaurants.