History of Mummers Parade in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: January 2, 2025

The Mummers Parade, held annually on New Year's Day in Philadelphia, is the oldest folk parade in the United States, dating back to 1901. This vibrant and elaborate spectacle features thousands of costumed participants from various Mummers clubs, known as "string bands," who compete for prizes based on their costumes, music, and performances. The parade route traditionally stretches down Broad Street, showcasing elaborate costumes, unique musical performances, and lively dances. The event is a beloved Philadelphia tradition, attracting large crowds of spectators and embodying the city's rich cultural heritage.

1900: City Sanctioned and Organized Parade

By 1900, the Mummers Parade became a city-sanctioned and organized event, with cash prizes awarded for the best performances.

January 1, 1901: First Official Parade

The first official Mummers Parade was held on January 1, 1901.

1901: First Mummers Parade

The first official Mummers Parade took place in Philadelphia on 1901, marking the beginning of the longest-running continuous folk parade in the United States.

1902: First String Band Appearance

The first string band, Trilby, participated in the Mummers Parade in 1902.

1903: Introduction of "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers"

James A. Bland's "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers" was introduced as the parade's theme song in 1903.

1906: Golden Eagle Club Participation

The all-African American Golden Eagle Club, with 300 members, participated in the 1906 Mummers Parade.

1919: Parade Cancellation

The 1919 Mummers Parade was cancelled due to the Spanish Flu epidemic.

1929: Octavius Catto Club Withdrawal

After receiving last place, the Octavius Catto Club, the last all-Black Mummers club, withdrew from the parade in 1929.

1934: Parade Cancellation

The 1934 Mummers Parade was cancelled due to the Great Depression and a lack of prize money.

1963: Blackface Ban and Reversal

In 1963, a week before the parade, the Mummers banned blackface, then reversed the decision after protests, leading to increased police presence.

1964: One Remaining Black Mummer

By 1964, only one African American mummer, Willis Fluelling, remained in the parade.

1964: Official Blackface Ban

In 1964, the city officially banned blackface in the Mummers Parade.

1976: Harrowgate String Band's First Prize Win

In 1976, Harrowgate (now Uptown) String Band won first prize for their railroad-themed performance with Broadway-style dance, changing the nature of string band performances in the Mummers Parade.

1985: South Philadelphia String Band Denied Use of Blackface

In 1985, the South Philadelphia String Band's request to use blackface was denied.

1987: Mummers Photos Removed and Restored at City Hall

In 1987, Mummers photos were removed from City Hall due to apparent blackface, then restored after a petition.

1994: National TV Coverage

The Mummers Parade was broadcast nationally on the Travel Channel in 1994.

1995: Parade Route Change

The Mummers Parade route was changed to Market Street in 1995 due to construction on Broad Street.

1995: National TV Coverage

The Mummers Parade was broadcast nationally on the Travel Channel in 1995.

1996: Increased Female Membership in String Bands

In 1996, half of the string bands reported having female members, though captains expressed reluctance due to declining overall membership.

1996: Return to Broad Street

The parade returned to Broad Street in 1996 after construction was completed.

1997: Fancy Brigades Moved

In 1997, the Fancy Brigades were moved to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

1999: Last Parade on Broad Street (Before Another Move)

The 1999 Mummers Parade marked the last time it was held on Broad Street before moving back to Market Street in 2000.

2000: Move to Market Street

The Mummers Parade was moved back to Market Street in 2000.

2003: Slick Duck Comic Brigade Cancels Controversial Skit

In 2003, Slick Duck Comic Brigade cancelled a planned skit involving priests and altar boys after protests from religious groups and media.

2003: Goodtimers Comic Brigade Highlights Blackface Use

In 2003, the Goodtimers Comic Brigade's performance highlighted the continued use of blackface and other makeup in the Mummers Parade, referencing minstrel shows.

2004: Return to Broad Street

The Mummers Parade returned to Broad Street in 2004.

2007: Integration of Some Clubs

In 2007, some less traditional Mummers clubs, such as Spiral Q Puppet Theater's West Philadelphia Mummers Brigade, became integrated.

2008: Weather Delay

Incidents of foul weather, among other reasons, caused delays in the 2008 parade.

2008: Budget Crisis Impacts Parade

The 2008 budget crisis led the city to propose reduced funding for the Mummers Parade.

September 2009: The Bacon Brothers Recording

The Bacon Brothers recorded a special version of "New Year's Day" to benefit the Save the Mummers Fund in September 2009.

December 2009: Benefit Concert

The Bacon Brothers held a benefit concert for the Mummers Parade in December 2009.

2009: B. Love Strutters Brigade's Skit on Discrimination

In 2009, B. Love Strutters Brigade performed a skit titled "Aliens of an Illegal Kind", which depicted stereotypical representations of various ethnic groups.

2009: Funding Secured for Post-Parade Celebrations

In 2009, the city initially declined to fund post-parade celebrations, but Rep. Bob Brady secured the necessary funding.

2009: National TV Coverage

Portions of the Mummers Parade were televised nationally on WGN America and WGN-TV in 2009.

2009: Shorter Parade

The 2009 Mummers Parade was shortened to six and a half hours due to budget cuts.

2009: Reduced Funding

The Mummers Parade faced reduced funding of $300,000 for the 2009 event due to the budget crisis.

2010: End of Monetary Awards

As of 2010, monetary awards for Mummers Parade performers were discontinued.

2010: National TV Coverage

Portions of the Mummers Parade were televised nationally on WGN America and WGN-TV in 2010.

2010: Zero Funding Proposed

The city proposed no funding for the 2010 Mummers Parade due to budget constraints.

2011: Fancy Brigades Return

The Fancy Brigades returned to the main parade route in 2011.

2012: SugarHouse Casino Sponsorship

SugarHouse Casino sponsored the 2012 Mummers Parade, renaming it the "Sugar House Mummers Parade."

2013: Ferko String Band's "Minstrel Days" Performance

In 2013, The Ferko String Band presented "Ferko's Bringing Back the Minstrel Days".

2013: Venetian NYA's "Indi-sourcing" Skit

In 2013, Venetian NYA club presented "Indi-sourcing", a skit depicting a call center staffed by people dressed as Indians being raided by people dressed as Native Americans.

2014: Trilby's Last Parade

The string band Trilby made its last appearance in the Mummers Parade in 2014.

January 1, 2015: New Parade Route and Staging

On January 1, 2015, the parade started at City Hall, headed south on Broad Street, and used the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a staging area.

2015: Blackface and "Wench Lives Matter" Controversy

The 2015 Mummers Parade featured instances of blackface and a skit satirizing Black Lives Matter.

2016: Brownface and Continued Black Lives Matter Parodies

In 2016, a Mummers group performed a Mexican-themed skit using brownface, and parodies of Black Lives Matter continued.

2017: Blackface Declines

By 2017, the use of blackface in the Mummers Parade had become extremely uncommon.

2020: Mummers Banned for Blackface, Mayor Threatens Parade Cancellation

In 2020, two Mummers were banned for wearing blackface, and Mayor Jim Kenney threatened to end the parade if changes weren't made. City Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a bill to fine and ban future Mummers who wear blackface.

2021: Parade Cancellation

The 2021 Mummers Parade was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023: Mummers Parade broadcast expansion

In 2023, the Mummers Parade expanded its broadcast reach with Wilmington's WDPN-TV (MeTV 2) and live stream coverage through its sister station WFMZ-TV's website.