PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 123rd Philadelphia Mummers Parade is scheduled to step off on New Year’s Day, which comes on Sunday this year.
As performers perfect their final steps this week, city crews will be closing streets to set up the parade route.
About 10,000 participants are expected to perform in the parade, decked out in sequins, feathers, and strumming and strutting, the way Mummers only know how.
The bands will compete in five divisions: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, Fancy Brigades and String Bands. The clubs compete for bragging rights.
The parade starts at 9 a.m. at City Hall and makes its way south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue.
Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association President Sam Regalbuto said there will performance areas along route.
“Entertainers will perform during the parade route, with social viewing areas at 17th and Market (streets), Broad and Sansom streets in front of the Union League, Broad and Pine streets, and at Broad and Carpenter streets.”
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“We have spent so much time over the last three years huddling indoors and being separate from each other,” said Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell.
“This parade is a great way to bring people together, bring people outside, enjoy the city, patronize the businesses and just enjoy the music, enjoy the spectacle that is the Mummers Parade.”
She calls it uniquely Philadelphia, so much so that she made the Mummers part of an important day in her life.
“I had the Mummers perform at my wedding,” said Ott Lovell.
“My husband’s family who is from all over the country were calling them the ‘Mewmers,’ and they had no idea what to make of it when they walked in. You can’t really explain it. You just have to experience it.”
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. They can also attend two Fancy Brigade Finales at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., with the later show involving judges.
Preparations for the parade are leading the city to implement numerous road closures and parking restrictions. The city said drivers will not be allowed to cross Broad Street during the parade. They are asked to avoid the parade area and should expect extra traffic delays during the event.
The parade will also happen during pregame festivities for the Philadelphia Eagles-New Orleans Saints game. It kicks off at 1 p.m. inside Lincoln Financial Field.
The city encourages people to use the SEPTA Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines to travel to the parade route. Click here for more information, including bus rerouting during the parade.
The following are 2023 Mummers Parade-related road closures:
— 13th Street, south 1000 block: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— 15th Street (southbound) at John F. Kennedy Boulevard: Dec. 30 at 9 a.m. until Jan. 2 at 7 a.m.
— 15th Street (both sides) from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street: Dec. 31 at 10 a.m. until Jan. 2 at 5 a.m.
— 15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— 16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— 17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— 18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— 19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Broad Street from Cherry Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Broad Street from South Penn Square to Washington Avenue: Jan. 1 at 7 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Carpenter Street, 1300 block: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side): Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street: Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. At that time, police will allow eastbound traffic to 15th Street, then southbound on 15th Street.
— Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Ranstead Street, 1500 block: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
— Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street: Jan. 1 at 3 a.m. until the parade’s end.
Other parking restrictions:
— 13th Street (south 1000 block): Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— 15th Street (west side) from Arch Street to Ranstead Street: Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. until Jan. 2 at 6 p.m.
— 16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— 17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— 18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— 19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— 19th Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Broad Street from Arch Street to Ellsworth Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Broad Street from Cherry Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Carpenter Street (1300 block): Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side): Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Juniper Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to East Penn Square: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— John F. Kennedy Boulevard (both sides) from Juniper Street to 20th Street: Dec. 31 at 4 a.m. until Jan. 1 at 6 p.m.
— Logan Circle (north side): Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Market Street (both sides) from 15th Street to 21st Street: Dec. 31 at 4 a.m. until Jan. 1 at 6 p.m.
— Penn Square (south and east) from 15th Street to Juniper Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Randstad Street (1500 block): Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.
— Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street: Jan. 1 from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m.