What many folks may not know, especially those outside of the Philadelphia region, is the intertwined history shared by both Mardi Gras and our beloved Mummers’ Parade. Mardi Gras’ roots are as a celebration of life just prior to a period of fasting and religious obligation. The very name ‘Mardi Gras’ comes from the French for “Fat The annual New Year’s Day Mummers Parade draws a crowd and is loads of fun. It is a cherished event and remains one of the oldest folk traditions in America. It also called “the Mardi Gras of the North.” Photo: a band performs in the 2010 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1 January 2010. Credit: Kevin Burkett; Wikimedia Commons. In New Orleans, the mummers were originally from the French colony of Acadia. They came to the city in the early 1700s, and their tradition of dressing up and parading through the streets quickly caught on. The mummers played a vital role in the early years of Mardi Gras, helping to shape the event into the world-famous celebration it is today It’s been described variously as Philadelphia’s Carnival, its Mardi Gras, the oldest extant folk festival in the United States, or (by my father) as “a parade of drunks marching down Broad Street.” It is a colorful daylong affair processing from traditionally ethnic (e.g., Italian, Polish, Swedish; with more recent African-American Mummers usually get introduced to the activity from relatives. About 10,000 Mummers participate in the annual parade, according to the group’s official website. Most of them are men. Did you know Mardi Gras and Mummers share roots in medieval European traditions? 🎭🎷 Both trace back to the 17th century and earlier, with origins deeply ti The Mummers continued their own ideas of celebrating New Year’s and clung to their rifles, pistols and friendly calls in “welcoming in the new year”. In the 1870’s, the nation was recuperating from the Civil War, and what had been an uncoordinated group of neighborhood celebrations turned into an area wide parade with two main groups of Sure, Mardi Gras isn't actually until Feb. 28. But that didn't stop the Philadelphia Mummers from celebrating early. Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade is a New Year’s Day tradition similar in many ways to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Revelers don elaborate costumes and strut down the city’s streets. The parade has been officially held by the city for 120 years, but the tradition goes back to the 1700s, when celebrants would go door-to-door performing skits 1: Oldest traditions ever?They could well be the veterans of traditions: Newfoundland’s first recorded Mummering event was in 1819, but it was brought across the Atlantic by the Irish and the English settlers who began arriving in the 17th century onwards. Meanwhile French settlers brought Mardi-Gras and Mi-Carême across the Atlantic ocean to New France (Acadie) and to Québec in the early Mummers Mardi Gras. 4,259 likes · 7 talking about this. Mummers Mardi Gras at Xfinity Live! February 23, 2020! The Mummers Parade is Philadelphia's annual New Year's Day celebration that started over 120 years ago. Visit Philadelphia describes the Mummers Parade as "a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, but The 2020 Mummers Mardi Gras featuring all 16 String Bands will be staged at XFINITY Live! The show will take place in two sessions, with the first running from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and the second Get ready, Manayunk: the Mummers are coming Saturday for the Mummers Mardi Gras Parade. Beginning at 11 a.m., Manayunk will be flooded with Mummers for the third year in a row thanks to ADVENT and MUMMERS MARDI GRAS IS THIS SATURDAY! February 26th from 11am to 4pm at Renault Winery Resort! Free & fun for all ages! ☂️ Click here for more info from Renault Winery: The Mummers tradition gained momentum during the Revolutionary War, notably with a farewell party for General Howe that resembled aspects of the modern-day Mummers Parade. George Washington, the first U.S. president, played a role in the Mummers Day Parade's history during his time in Philadelphia. Mummers Mardi Gras is a family-friendly musical celebration that supports one of Philadelphia's oldest traditions. This is an excellent opportunity to catch all 17 string bands in the intimate, historic setting of Main Street, Manayunk. As a kid, the Philadelphia Mummer’s Day Parade was a fun reminder of Halloween and Mardi Gras. Little did I realize that the mummers’ traditions stretched back centuries to almsgiving, when giving to the poor and needy was seen as a religious obligation. 3,112 Followers, 4,828 Following, 229 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Mummers Mardi Gras (@mummersmardigras) How can I get to Mummers Mardi Gras? We highly encourage you to take public transportation, bike, or walk to Mummers Mardi Gras becausestreet closures will limit available parking. Coming To Manayunk By Public Transportation: For schedules and fare rates, contact SEPTA at (215) 580-7800 or on the web at www.septa.org for more information.
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