PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Mummers Fancy Brigade division not only struts in the annual New Year’s Day parade that heads down Broad Street in Philadelphia this Sunday, but the clubs also compete in two indoor shows.
In preparation, Tuesday became Mummers move-in day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
11 Fancy Brigade clubs trucked in materials and equipment to build rolling sets and props for the 25th Fancy Brigade Finale at the convention center. Once crews construct the sets, Mummers clubs get underway with their practices.
Tom Knight, the president of the Fancy Brigade Association and a marching member of the South Philly Vikings, said the indoor shows were started to ensure there would be Mummers performances for tourists despite the weather.
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“We had Mayor [Ed] Rendell at the time, and he met with our officers of the association,” said Knight. “We wanted to have a guaranteed [event] on New Year’s Day to attract tourism to the City of Philadelphia … 25 years later we are still going forward and moving straight ahead.”
Each club has a particular theme and performs a 4 ½-minute elaborate theatrical production.
Knight said his club is doing a jungle theme drill.
“This week is just building your show, and then putting the finishing touches on and getting ready for the big one on Jan. 1,” said John Bielec, the vice president of Satin Slipper New Years Fancy Brigade Club and financial secretary for the Fancy Brigade Association.
“We are doing an Arabian theme. We are doing Aladdin.”
He said that for many Mummers, performing on New Year’s Day is a big family tradition.
“There are people in every club that have four or five different generations,” said Bielec.
“My club alone, my son is actually wearing his first adult suit this year. My father is in it, my brother and now myself and my son … we got three generations just with the Bielecs. It’s huge on family.”
He said that when he got married, members of six Mummers clubs were part of the wedding.
“It’s a competition and different clubs and all,” said Bielec, “but it’s all one big family at the end of the day.”
The New Year’s Day indoor shows happen at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., with judges involved in the second show. As of Tuesday afternoon, tickets were still available.
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Mummers Parade fans can participate on the days before the parade, with Fancy Brigade Fest at the Convention Center Wednesday through Saturday from 4-9 p.m.
“Come down. You can try on a suit, dress like a Mummer, build a Mummers doll and a Mummers umbrella, and try to be a part of our Philly tradition,” said Knight.
When the performances and fun are all over, it’s time to strike the set and start a full year of preparation for the 2024 parade.
“Jan. 2nd, we come back and break down our floats,” said Bielec. “The next week, we are having meetings and electing our officers, then picking our theme. We really don’t stop. A lot of work goes into it between suits, props, the special effects, and the drill.”