I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

On Dec 7, 4:02*pm, "
wrote:
I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

Google Mummers Parade...there's like a ton of sites and...Mummers have
their own website.

In article
,
Chemo the Clown wrote:

On Dec 7, 4:02*pm, "
wrote:
I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

Google Mummers Parade...there's like a ton of sites and...Mummers have
their own website.

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't imagine why
anyone would want to spend the night out in the bitter cold just to see
the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of locations where you can walk up
and see the parade when it passes by, no problem.

"Stan Horwitz" wrote in message

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't imagine why
anyone would want to spend the night out in the bitter cold just to see
the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of locations where you can walk up
and see the parade when it passes by, no problem.

I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why anyone
would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold. About 40 years
ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed for an hour or so.

In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

"Stan Horwitz" wrote in message

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't imagine why
anyone would want to spend the night out in the bitter cold just to see
the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of locations where you can walk up
and see the parade when it passes by, no problem.

I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why anyone
would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold. About 40 years
ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed for an hour or so.

The Mummers parade is one of those things that you either love or hate.
For me, I can't figure out the big draw. You stand out in the bitter
cold for hours on end watching bands in ridiculous costumes walk by. I
have seen the Mummers Parade several times. I used to live walking
distance from its route so if I was home on New Years Day, it would be
hard for me to miss it. On the other hand, for lots of people, the
parade is a great social and cultural event. I have quite a few
colleagues who love the Mummers Parade and I know at least two people
who are march in the parade. More power to them.

On Dec 7, 6:02*pm, "
wrote:
I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Whenever I hear mention of the Mummer's Parade, I always think of The
Gift, by the VU:

Waldo Jeffers had reached his limit. It was now
Mid-August which meant that he had been separated
from Marsha for more than two months. Two months,
and all he had to show was three dog-eared letters
and two very expensive long distance phone calls.
When school had ended and she'd returned to
Wisconsin, and he to Locust, Pennsylvania. She had
sworn to maintain a certain fidelity, she would
date occasionally, but merely as amusement. She
would remain faithfull. But lately Waldo had begun
to worry. He had trouble sleeping at night and
when he did, he had horrible dreams. He lay awake
at night, tossing and turning underneath his
pleated quilt protector, tears welling in his
eyes. As he pictured Marsha, her sworn vows
overcome by liquor and the smooth soothing of some
neanderthal, finally submitting to the final
caresses of sexual oblivion. It was more than the
human mind could bear. Visions of Marsha's
faithlessness haunted him. Daytime fantasies of
sexual abandon permeated his thoughts. And the
thing was they wouldn't really understand how she
really was. He, Waldo, alone, understood this. He
had intuitively grasped every nook and cranny of
her psyche. He had made her smile, and she needed
him, and he wasn't there. (ahhh....) The idea came
to him on the Thursday before the Mummers' Parade
was scheduled to appear. He had just finished
mowing and etching the Edelsons lawn for a dollar
fifty and had checked the mailbox to see if there
was at least a word from Marsha. There was nothing
more than a circular from the Amalgamated Aluminum
Company of America inquiring into his zoning
needs. At least they cared enough to write. It was
a New York company. You could go anywhere in the
mail. Then it struck him, he didn't have enough
money to go to Wisconsin in the accepted fashion,
true, but why not mail himself? It was absurdly
simple. He would ship himself parcel post special
delivery. The next day Waldo went to the
supermarket to purchase the necessary equipment.
He bought masking tape, a staple gun and a medium
sized box, just right for a person of his built.
He judged that with a minimum of jostling he could
ride quite comfortably. A few airholes, some
water, of course, midnight snacks and it would
probably be as good as going tourist. By Friday
afternoon, Waldo was set. He was packed and the
post office had agreed to pick him up at three
o'clock. He'd marked the package
"Fragile", and as he sat curled up
inside, resting the foam rubber cushioning he'd
thoughtfully included, he tried to picture the
look of awe and happiness on Marshas face as she
opened the door, saw the package, tipped the
deliverer, and then opened it to see her Waldo
finally there in person. She would kiss him, then,
maybe they could see a movie. If he'd only thought
of this before. Suddenly rough hands gripped his
package and he felt himself barne up. He landed
with a thud in a truck and then he was off. Marsha
Bronson had just finished setting her hair. It had
been a very rough weekend. She had to remember not
to drink like that. Bill had been nice about it
though. After it was over he'd said that he still
respected her and, after all, it was certainly the
way of nature, and even though, no he didn't love
her, he did feel an affection for her. And, after
all, they were grown adults. Oh, what Billy could
teach Waldo - but that seemed like years ago.
Sheila Klein, her very, very best friend walked in
through the porch screen door and into the
kitchen. "Oh god, it's absolutely maudlin
outside." "I know what you mean, I feel
all icky!" Marsha tightened her cotton robe
[ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/98b ]
with the silk outer edge. Sheila ran her finger
over some salt grains on the kitchen table, licked
her fingers and made a face. "I'm supposed to
take these salt pills," but she wrinkled her
nose, "They make me feel like throwing
up." Marsha started to pat herself under the
chin, an exercise she'd seen on television.
"God, don't even talk about that." She
got up from the table and went to the sink where
she picked up a bottle of pink and blue vitamins.
"Want one? Supposed to be better than
steak." And attempted to touch her knees.
"I don't think I'll ever touch a daiquiri
again." She gave up and sat down, this time
nearer the table that supported the telephone.
"Maybe Bill will call." she said to
Sheila's glance. Sheila nibbled on a cuticle.
"After last night, I thought maybe you'd be
through with him." "I know what you
mean, my God, he was like an octopus. Hands all
over the place." She gestured, raising her
arms upwards in defense. "The thing is after
a while, you get tired of fighting with him, you
know, and after all he didn't really do anything
Friday and Saturday so I kind of owed it to him,
you know what I mean." She started to
scratch. Sheila was giggling with her hand over
her mouth. "I'll tell you, I feel the same
way, and even after a while," here she bend
forward in a whisper, wanted to," and now she
was laughing very loudly. It was at this point
that Mr. Jameison of the Clarence Darrow Post
Office rang the door bell of the large colored
stucco frame house. When Marsha Bronson opened the
door, he helped her carry the package in. He had
his yellow and green slips of paper signed and
left with a fifteen cent tip that Marsha had
gotten out of her mothers small beige pocketbook
in the den. "What do you think it is?"
Sheila asked. Marsha stood with her arms folded
behind her back. She stared at the brown cardboard
carton that sat in the middle of the living room:
"I don't know." Inside the package Waldo
quivered with excitement as he listened to the
muffled voices. Sheila ran her fingernail over the
masking tape that ran down the center of the
carton. "Why don't you look at the return
address and see who it is from?" Waldo felt
his heart beating. He could feel the vibrating
footsteps. It would be soon. Marsha walked around
the carton and read the ink-scratched label.
"God, it's from Waldo." "That
schmuck!" said Sheila. Waldo trembled with
expectation. "You might as well open
it," said Sheila. Both of them tried to flip
the stable flap. "Ah," said Marsha
groaning. "He must have nailed it shut."
They tagged at the flap again. "My God, you
need a power drill to get this thing opened."
They pulled again. "You can't get a
grip!" They both stood still, breathing
heavily. "Why don't you get the
scissors," said Sheila. Marsha ran into the
kitchen, but all she could find was a little
sewing scissors. Then she remembered that her
father kept a collection of tools in the basement.
She ran downstairs and when she came back, she had
a large metal cutter in her hand. "This is
the best I could find." She was out of
breath. "Here, you do it. I'm gonna
die." She sank into a large fluffy couch and
exhaled noisily. Sheila tried to make a slit
between the masking tape and the end of the
cardboard, but the blade was too big and there was
not enough room. "G-damn this thing!"
she said feeling very exaspe- rated. Then, smiling
"I got an idea." "What?" said
Marsha. "Just watch," said Sheila
touching her finger to her head. Inside the
package, Waldo was transfixed with excitement that
he could hardly breathe. His skin felt prickly
from the heat and he could feel his heart beating
in his throat. It would be soon. Sheila stood
quite upright and walked around to the other side
of the package. Then she sank down to her knees,
grasped the cutter by both hands, took a deep
breath and plunged the long blade through the
middle of the package, through the middle of the
masking tape, through the card-board through the
cushioning and right through the center of Waldo
Jeffers head, which split slightly and caused
little rhythmic arcs of red to pulsate gently in
the morning sun.
--John Cale
source-- http://www.mp3lyrics.org/j/john-cale/the-gift/

Note: I did not correct the flaws in the lyrics.

Thanks

Tom

--Bryan

wrote in message
...
I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

There is a big too-do in Philly this year about the city not being able to
afford it (cut backs and all) so they've started doing fundraisers to 'bring
back the Mummers'....Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael (The Bacon Brothers
Band) are spearheading the effort. It's not what it used to be, and they
route keeps changing (it used to be 'right up Broad Street') so you would
have to check the websites to even see where to go.

I like the string bands, I have friends who play in a few and my hubby's
SIL's entire family is part of the Murray Comics, but it you want the
'show' without all the waiting in the cold hoping to see the section you
wants (comics, string bands, fancies), I would suggest you wait until after
New Years when they put on the dog in the convention center. Best of the
parade and indoors to boot.
-ginny

My mother, God Rest her, a Filladulfian from waaay back...never saw the
draw...said they were just a bunch of drunks in panty hose and feathers
!!!!!

On Dec 7, 6:02*pm, "
wrote:
I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

First thing I think of when I hear the term "Mummer's parade" is
Velvet Underground's song "The Gift"

Waldo Jeffers had reached his limit...

;-)

John Kuthe...

On Dec 8, 8:03*am, John Kuthe wrote:
On Dec 7, 6:02*pm, "
wrote:

I hope this does not upset anybody, but I looked at the USA travel
group, and it appears that it has been taken over by junk. I figured
that this group had a wide variety of interests, and maybe someone
could answer this question. I have never been to the Mummers parade in
Philly, and thought about going this year. My wife spoke to someone
who said that the crowd was ten people deep. We were wondering if you
could show up the night before (and sleep on the sidewalk) so you
could get a good view. Around where I live ( Pittsburgh) people will
put their lawnchairs out the day before a parade so they can reserve
their spot, but I am sure that would not work in Philly.

Thanks

Tom

First thing I think of when I hear the term "Mummer's parade" is
Velvet Underground's song "The Gift"

Waldo Jeffers had reached his limit...

I had just said the same thing about a half hour before.

;-)

John Kuthe...

--Bryan

On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:16:56 -0500, Stan Horwitz
wrote:

In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

"Stan Horwitz" wrote in message

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't imagine why
anyone would want to spend the night out in the bitter cold just to see
the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of locations where you can walk up
and see the parade when it passes by, no problem.

I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why anyone
would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold. About 40 years
ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed for an hour or so.

The Mummers parade is one of those things that you either love or hate.
For me, I can't figure out the big draw. You stand out in the bitter
cold for hours on end watching bands in ridiculous costumes walk by.

Yeah, especially when you can be outside watching a parade in warm
weather... and no weird costumes (or any kind of weirdness) can beat
any seen he http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_parade

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why anyone
would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold. About 40 years
ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed for an hour or so.

When my children were little, we never missed the Mummer's Parade, I
really did enjoy it. I'm surprised they still speak to me. lol


Becca

On Dec 8, 2:22*pm, Sqwertz wrote:
On Tue, 8 Dec 2009 16:07:27 -0600, Sqwertz wrote:
I'm from Pittsburgh and can't understand why anyone would want to
watch a Philadelphia parade on TV, let alone go to Philadelphia and
camp out on the sidewalk all night to see it.

Have we covered all the "why would you want to?" cross-examinations?

I should mention that I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and have
never even *heard* of the Mummers parade.

-sw

Like, we should be surprised about this?

"Andy" wrote in message ...
Stan Horwitz wrote in
:

In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

"Stan Horwitz" wrote in message

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't imagine
why anyone would want to spend the night out in the bitter cold
just to see the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of locations where
you can walk up and see the parade when it passes by, no problem.

I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why
anyone would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold.
About 40 years ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed for
an hour or so.

The Mummers parade is one of those things that you either love or
hate. For me, I can't figure out the big draw. You stand out in the
bitter cold for hours on end watching bands in ridiculous costumes
walk by. I have seen the Mummers Parade several times. I used to live
walking distance from its route so if I was home on New Years Day, it
would be hard for me to miss it. On the other hand, for lots of
people, the parade is a great social and cultural event. I have quite
a few colleagues who love the Mummers Parade and I know at least two
people who are march in the parade. More power to them.


After last year with the city pulling out of some financial obligations
and again this year, the Mummers are asking for donation so the show can
go on. $300,000 is needed it said. I don't know what effect that will
have on the parade. Shorter parade route? No parade? The parade is a blue
collar parade and money doesn't grow on trees to pay for costumes,
floats, gettting permits, crowd and traffic control, cops, etc.

I never attended it. I'll watch it on TV until the Tournament of Roses
parade in Pasadena, CA come on. That's a parade!

Andy

I've seen it plenty of times and was in it twice (driving a Park Trolley). I
haven't seen it in person years now, but the best place to see it was always
along broad street in south Philly, between Mifflin and Tasker Streets. The
crowds are lighter and friendlier, and the comics haven't had enough time to
get so skunked they toss their cookies on your shoes.

No way I'd camp out overnight to see it.

An even better time is to go down to Two street to watch the Fancy division
clubs serenade the winners outside of their clubhouse after the parade. Very
touching (and a lot of free booze flowing).
Jon

"Andy" wrote in message ...
"Zeppo" wrote in
:



"Andy" wrote in message
...
Stan Horwitz wrote in
:

In article ,
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote:

"Stan Horwitz" wrote in message

Yup. I am a born and raised Philadelphian. I honestly can't
imagine why anyone would want to spend the night out in the
bitter cold just to see the Mummers Parade. There are plenty of
locations where you can walk up and see the parade when it passes
by, no problem.

I was a born and raised Philadelphian and could not figure out why
anyone would even watch it on TV, let alone stand out in the cold.
About 40 years ago I was somehow coerced into going and we stayed
for an hour or so.

The Mummers parade is one of those things that you either love or
hate. For me, I can't figure out the big draw. You stand out in the
bitter cold for hours on end watching bands in ridiculous costumes
walk by. I have seen the Mummers Parade several times. I used to
live walking distance from its route so if I was home on New Years
Day, it would be hard for me to miss it. On the other hand, for lots
of people, the parade is a great social and cultural event. I have
quite a few colleagues who love the Mummers Parade and I know at
least two people who are march in the parade. More power to them.


After last year with the city pulling out of some financial
obligations and again this year, the Mummers are asking for donation
so the show can go on. $300,000 is needed it said. I don't know what
effect that will have on the parade. Shorter parade route? No parade?
The parade is a blue collar parade and money doesn't grow on trees to
pay for costumes, floats, gettting permits, crowd and traffic
control, cops, etc.

I never attended it. I'll watch it on TV until the Tournament of
Roses parade in Pasadena, CA come on. That's a parade!

Andy

I've seen it plenty of times and was in it twice (driving a Park
Trolley). I haven't seen it in person years now, but the best place to
see it was always along broad street in south Philly, between Mifflin
and Tasker Streets. The crowds are lighter and friendlier, and the
comics haven't had enough time to get so skunked they toss their
cookies on your shoes.

No way I'd camp out overnight to see it.

An even better time is to go down to Two street to watch the Fancy
division clubs serenade the winners outside of their clubhouse after
the parade. Very touching (and a lot of free booze flowing).
Jon


When my ex (Philly born and raised) and I moved here she and her sister
explained the Mummers parade drunken antics but Sis-IL said that had all
been cleaned up by time we moved here in 1991. Maybe not!?!

I provided them with lots of laughter for not being able to master the
Mummers Strut. I didn't care. Personally, I thought it was kinda/sorta
uncreative.

Andy


Years ago, I dated a woman who's family were 3rd generation Mummers. It was
amazing to see her family pour so much time, effort and money into the
parade. We're talking more of an obsession than a hobby.

I never felt more of an outsider than when I was told I was doing the
Mummer's Strut incorrectly and to refrain from doing it when we were around
other Mummer family members. Sheesh! I thought I had it nailed, too. :-)

Jon

On Wed, 9 Dec 2009 09:55:24 -0500, "Zeppo" wrote:

Years ago, I dated a woman who's family were 3rd generation Mummers. It was
amazing to see her family pour so much time, effort and money into the
parade. We're talking more of an obsession than a hobby.

I never felt more of an outsider than when I was told I was doing the
Mummer's Strut incorrectly and to refrain from doing it when we were around
other Mummer family members. Sheesh! I thought I had it nailed, too. :-)

Jon

Well, ain't that a kick in the pants?

I'd heard of Mummers, but didn't understand why this thread persisted
so I looked for some images on Google... there are many.

One of the blogs I found contained this


What exactly is a “Mummer?” Good question, though I’m not fully
prepared to answer it. A Mummer is a person who belongs to one of the
forty-four social clubs that participate in the organization. The
clubs are split in to four distinct divisions, including Comics,
Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades. Almost as many types of
guest towels Monica from Friends had. The sole purpose of these groups
is to stage their varied performances on New Year’s Day. However,
Mummers do perform at other events throughout the year. I’m sorry,
it’s just a funny word - Mummers.

According to the press release:

Mummery traces its roots to ancient Roman laborers who ushered in the
festival of Saturnalia by marching in masks while exchanging gifts and
satirizing the issues of the day. In the 1600s, Swedish settlers to
Philadelphia’s outskirts honored Christmas by beseeching their
neighbors for dessert and liquor by dressing up, chanting and shooting
firearms. The party eventually migrated to New Year’s Day and evolved
into a series of neighborhood parades; then, as immigrants moved to
the area from Ireland and Italy, each group added their own cultural
flair to the local customs. In 1901, the tradition began in earnest
with the first recognized and judged Mummers Parade. The term “Mummer”
is German and means “to costume or masquerade.”

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.