The country’s oldest folk parade has been named the best holiday parade in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The New Year’s Day tradition beat out national favorites like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago.
It also bested niche contenders like Calistoga, California’s Lighted Tractor Parade and Annapolis, Maryland’s Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade.
USA Today praised the Mummers for their “colorful procession” and “spectacular costumes.” The parade, held each year on Jan. 1, dates back to Philadelphia’s immigrant street celebrations of the 17th and 18th centuries, officially began in 1901.
Today, it features four divisions — comics, wenches, string bands and fancy brigades — and draws thousands of spectators to Broad Street every Jan. 1.
“This national recognition couldn’t come at a better time as we prepare to celebrate the Mummers’ 125th anniversary,” Sam Regalbuto, president of the String Band Association, said in a statement. “The Mummers’ history is unmatched, and our New Year’s Day performance will celebrate that legacy while building excitement for this historic year in Philadelphia.”
Going to this year’s parade? Visit Philadelphia has all of the details.
Also making the list was America’s Thanksgiving Parade — a Detroit tradition since 1924.
Photo credit: Kevin Burkett / This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license
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