Ferko was the final String Band of the day and was a crowd favorite, many family members were sitting in our section. They placed 2nd this year behind Fralinger.
Look for a Jimmy CraicHead, Polka Joe, & Cathy cameo at the end…of a very long day.
Happy New Years 2010
Archive for the 'Mummers' Category
I’ve been going every Mummers Parade since 1980 so I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs with weather, postponements, and cancelations and this year was no different. My sole reason to go the Mummers Parade is to see the String Bands. Every year we have to put up with the nonsence of what are called the “Fancies”, and I’ve been complaining every year to everyone around me to “flush the Fancies” and to bring on the String Bands. This year, the couple behind me even brought books to read during the Fancies; now what does that tell you. Lo and be hold, an article comes out the The Daily News from Stu Bykofsky basically suggesting how to improve the parade. My friends and I view from the stands at City Hall, and from my perspective, much of the delay is from every single comic and Fancy act getting tv time, and then a cut to a tv advertisement. And of course, there is always a rumor that Froggy Carr had a sit down somewhere on Broad Street. A 3 hour delay for weather now becomes 4 hours and the String Bands are playing close to 10pm. So yes, it’s is time to dump the Fancies. And as for the Fancy Brigades? They died 11 years ago.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to see the ocean in the dead of winter but how could I resist the 13th annual Polar Bear Plunge in Sea Isle City New Jersey. The Northeast has been in a fridgid air mass for a few weeks now and the back bays were frozen but that didn’t stop several hundred from decending on this small coastal town for a dip in the drink. And what a surprise to hear just 4 members of Fralinger Stringband parade while the main group was in Hong Kong performing for the Chinese New Year that same day.
What a wacky way to start off 2007 in Philadelphia. First, the annual Mummers Parade was postponed, then after a few switches and time changes, it played out in weather that reached the 70’s F. I got screwed, having to work that day but was able to get out in time and catch the Stringbands perform at City Hall for the judges. Later I was off to 2 Street in South Philly to see a few of them perform in front their home clubs. Special thanks to Dave Dougherty for filling in for Demanda who also had to work. And congradulations to Fralinger Stringband for making it 5 first place finishes in a row.
Just a few weeks late on what I will consider my first real
craic vlogumentry! It’s been real hectic putting up the web site and editing videos. Look for future posts to happen more timely.
The Mummers Parade in Philadelphia has been a New Years Day tradition since 1899 I believe. A few of my friends have been going every year since 1982 and we’ve picked up several more craic heads along the way. The real treat are the String Bands, 17 this year, each with about 45-55 members. During the rest of the year they travel the world playing their unique brand of Philly Folk. Originally consisting mostly of banjos and accordians, the sound has grown big on saxaphones. Earlier in the parade are the Wenches, the Froggy Carr group in particular with 600 plus.
I used a Rode shotgun mic which worked quite well with all the noise around me! Enjoy!
