A Mummery Good Time

The sun shone on the 110th annual Mummers Parade as organizers and city officials made a last-minute decision to give the New Year's Day tradition the go-ahead after initial fears of bad weather.

The heavily festooned bands of comics, string bands and other performers announced early Friday that the annual parade would go on. Organizers and city officials met around 4 a.m. to issue the verdict that gave the parade a green light.

“We were holding our breath,'' said city parade director Leo Dignam.

Around 10 a.m., they began their strut up Broad Street in South Philadelphia, heading toward City Hall downtown.

They poured down the street in full regalia, strutting, playing and dancing. There were men dressed as black-white-penguins, surfers, astronauts, and others wearing multicolored capes. One group was followed by a dragon blowing steam.

Mummers like Jimmy Driadon, 74, reminisced about decades of Mummery, which is sometimes described as Philadelphia's Mardi Gras.

Driadon wore his golden suit as he strutted down the street with the Greater Overbrook String Band, whose theme was “Memories of the Way We Were,” reminiscing of his 60 years as a Mummer.

Peter J. Broomall, the captain of Broomall String Band, also had tradition on his mind: His grandfather started the band 80 years ago.

“Some get wrapped up in the competition,” he said. “It's the tradition that's important.”

Another group used an agricultural theme, with musicians playing “Turkey in the Straw,” “Old McDonald,” and the theme from television's “Green Acres” as milk maids danced in a chorus line.

Money woes had also threatened this year's parade as the city cut back its financial contributions.

Earlier this week, the Mummers announced they had agreed to pay $150,000 for parade-related costs.

Franlinger, led by captain Thomas D'Amora, won the coveted String Band competition for the eighth straight year in a row.

To get all the results for the 2010 Mummer’s Day Parade click here.