PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On a cold Tuesday morning in the Pennsport neighborhood of Philadelphia, plans for the 124th Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day were revealed to the public.
10,000 costumed performers will strut their stuff on Jan. 1, starting at 9 a.m. at City Hall, and make their way to Washington Avenue. There will be performance zones at 17th and Market streets, and along Broad and Sansom streets, and Pine and Carpenter streets.
Judging will take place on the west side of City Hall. Tickets for bleacher seating are on sale at the Independence Visitors Center at 6th and Market streets, or through its website.
String Band Association President Sam Regalbuto thanked Mayor Jim Kenney for his support throughout his years in office. He said the Mummers look forward to working with Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker.
“We look forward to working with her administration to enhance and grow the yearly parade for years to come,” Regalbuto said, while also referencing some of the controversies the parade has weathered over the years — such as performers in blackface.
“We will continue to collaborate with the mayor-elect and city administration for future parades,” he said, “and we will continue our ongoing advancements and in our diversity and sensitivity training with city administrations.”
Should Philadelphia see rain on New Year’s Day, the Mummers will march instead on Jan. 6. The parade was last postponed because of rain in 2022, though the fancy brigades performed indoors on schedule.