The parade is held on New Years Day, weather permitting. There are four divisions in the parade. They are the comics , fancies , string bands , and finally, the fancy brigades . If you would like to learn about the origins of the parade, or the mummers name and traditions, then you can find that at Riverfrontmummers or Official Parade Site . Mummers are truckers and longshoremen and businessmen and bookkeepers and everyday people who work hard at their day jobs.
Membership means a year-round commitment.
They raise money for their club, come up with themes, design and build costumes, props and floats, and practice, practice, and practice. The parade lasts all day, with the comic, fancy, and string band divisions marching from the beginning of Market Street, up Market to City Hall, where they are judged. The fancy brigades march without the big props and floats, which are their hallmark, but turn before City Hall and go into the Philadelphia Convention Center. Fancy Brigades are judged in the convention center, where they put on the big Fancy Brigade Finale show. After the official parade, the real fun begins.