Declining membership, soaring costs and more elaborate productions have forced big changes in the Mummers Parade, a colorful New Year's celebration often called Philadelphia's Mardi Gras.
The event Thursday will follow a shortened route, and the parade's oldest troupe won't be strutting its stuff for the first time in more than a century, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Thousands of spectators turn out each Jan. 1 to see the outrageously costumed brigades march through the heart of the city. The garish outfits feature lots of expensive feathers and sequins, and clubs' routines often include huge props rolled down the street for periodic performances.
A lack of money and members led Original Trilby String Band captain Joseph Kaminski to abandon plans for this year's parade.
"I don't even have words," Kaminski said. "It was the worst decision of my life."
Many clubs are having fundraising issues, leading some to become nonprofits and pursue grant money since the city stopped offering cash prizes at the parade. And the younger generation isn't pursuing Mummery the way their older relatives did.
Overall, participation has declined from 12,000 performers in 2001 to about 8,000 this year, said Mummers Association president Bob Shannon.
The new mile-long route down Broad Street is only a third of the length of previous years. It's designed to consolidate a procession long criticized for straggling, and will help cut down on police overtime, said Leo Dignam, city deputy commissioner for parks and recreation.
It also reverses the marching direction and moves the judging to the start of the parade. Mummers expect that will allow them to be at their best in front of the panel, instead of being evaluated at the end of a long march.
