| 2002 Mummers Parade | |
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The 2002 Mummers Parade is history. This year's parade marked the third consecutive year that the parade was held on Market Street instead of along the traditional South Broad Street route. This year, however, several major changes were made in order to speed up the parade and, hopefully, make the parade more spectator friendly.
Unfortunately, these changes were a total failure.
The parade's direction was changed to proceed west to east on Market, but, in fact, west of City Hall the actual route of the parade was more complex. Each of the major divisions entered the procession from various locations along West Market Street from 19th to 16th Streets en route to the judges' stands near City Hall.
From the perspective of the spectators the result was total confusion. People waiting at 17th and Market learned that several major comic brigades were entering the parade at 15th Street. Not only did everyone standing along Market west of 15th Street miss these participants, but they were forced to wait and watch the Fancy Division clubs at a total standstill for well over an hour.
As the Comic Division clubs marched towards City Hall, they were dispersed into several lanes for judging. While spectators watched the larger brigades perform for the TV cameras, the smaller performers were rushed past along the curbside for judging north of City Hall.
In reality there seems to have been no single place along the entire parade route where one could see each and every parade participant walk or pass in any, even semi-organized, fashion and with all of their props.
Despite the chaos at City Hall ( designed to speed things up), the parade was almost two hours past schedule by the time that the Fancy Divisions finally advanced for their judging.
As a spectator watching the parade at 17th Street, the wait while the Fancy Divisions slowly proceeded along Market for judging was interminable. While each of the three Fancy Division Clubs may stretch only a block or two when at rest, it seemed to take forever for each participant to be judged.
By the time the long-awaited String Bands finally made their way east on Market from 19th to City Hall, daylight was quickly fading. The line of march was set so that the clubs most likely to place highly were some of the last bands in line. For most spectators, this was a disaster.
West Market Street is poorly lighted and viewing the drills by the final six or seven clubs was virtually impossible. The viewer stands at City Hall were reserved for paying ticket holders. The majority of the crowd was unable to see and appreciate the clubs that ended up in the top five of the final standings.
It certainly did not help the spectator experience when many of the String Bands decided not to drill at all from 18th Street to City Hall.
Perhaps the parade route on the east side of City Hall would be better. After all, the Mummers and City promised that the march there would be free of the larger props that tend to block views. They promised a much more festive atmosphere. Fans would be free to mingle with the Mummers - much like during the old Broad Street days. Unfortunately the large gaps between clubs and the presence of police barricades (which fans were told would not be used east of City Hall), made this an equally un-fan-friendly experience.
As you can tell, the city and Mummers Association bear much of the responsibility for making this year's parade the worst spectator experience in recent memory. It is even more of a shame when you consider that so many more people decided to attend this year than last. Unfortunately many left early and very disappointed.
A large part of the responsibility for this situation also rests directly with the parade participants.
The Mummers take pride in claiming that over 15,000 members participate in the parade. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these members are more concerned with their few minutes of fame in front of the judges or TV cameras rather than with entertaining the spectators along the parade route.
Time and time again individual comics, brigades, fancy division members and even entire string bands rushed past hundreds of spectators without any acknowledgement at all. Many comics seem much more willing to show you their beer can than to show you their talent - if any.
Do the members of several major String Bands feel any guilt at all for rushing past crowds of people who were patiently waiting for them to drill at previously designated locations?
The insanity seems to get worse every year as the City and Mummers Association try to bring spectators back and at the same time continue to improve TV ratings. In reality they should be more concerned with the future existence of the parade.
As things stand now, perhaps what the Mummers should consider is just to rent a studio and march each comic, fancy or string band in front of the camera where both judges and the TV audience can see all that needs to be seen. In essence, what they would be saying is "to hell with the spectator".
Perhaps what the Fancy Brigades are doing today is the future of Philadelphia Mummery. Their performances are judged and taped for later airing by the TV audience at a hall at the PA Convention Center. Seats are available for those willing to pay to see the performances live.
I was speaking with a couple of Mummers on New Year's Day. It's the little things that show that no one seems to get it any more. The parade was on South Broad Street for 98 years. As the day went on, the winter sun would shine from the south and warm the participants and spectators alike. The warmth of the people of South Philadelphia, where Philadelphia Mummery began, would do the same.
Whether the Mummers now march from the east or from the west on Market, the reality is the same. The Mummers now march in the cold shadows of tall buildings along a narrow street and march to the cold shoulders of the many fans who resent the parade ever being moved from its traditional route.
When all is said and done, however, our congratulation go out to this year's winners - especially to the Quaker City String Band for their unprecedented fourth victory in a row.
We invite you to take a look at our photos of the 2002 Mummers Parade in our 2002 Mummers Parade Photo Gallery. We apologize for the quality of the late afternoon photos of several of the top string bands. Unfortunately their drills were conducted in almost total darkness.