Friday, December 30, 2016

Two Parades This Year -- The Fun One is First

Welcome to "The Gods Are Bored," home of a proud Philadelphia Mummer!

EXHIBIT A: Anne and Spare, Philadelphia Mummers Parade 2016



Here I am last year on Broad Street, starting the year with a smile and a parasol!

EXHIBIT B: The Two Street Stompers


This is my club, the Two Street Stompers. I think this is 2014. I'm in the front row, standing.

I'm now in my fifth parade as a Two Street Stomper. Before joining the Stompers, I spent more than two decades sitting in an easy chair, watching the parade on New Year's Day. Finally I decided to get up off my keister and join the fun. Best decision I ever made!

I was really fortunate to find the Two Street Stompers. I tried to join a club called the Vaudvillains, but they weren't accepting new members. As you can see from the above photo, the Stompers don't have a problem with new members. It's a parade! The more the merrier! And boy, are these folks fun and nice! You can't argue with grown men willing to brave January chills in shiny gold tutus.

I've made a new close friend from being in the Stompers. It's never too late to make new friends, either.

EXHIBIT C: Anne's new friend, Buzz!


That's Buzz on the left. The photo says it all. You four readers who know me, doesn't he look like someone who would make a good friend for Anne? (Oh, wait! One of the four readers is Buzz. Well, Buzz, what do you think?)

The irony of having a friend named Buzz has not escaped me.

I must admit, my heart is heavy and my spirits are low this year. But damn it, I'm saving that angst for the next parade I'm going to be in, a mere three weeks from this one. Right now, this very minute, it's a new year, I live in Philadelphia, and I'm part of a proud tradition. I am a Mummer.

You can live stream the whole 8-hour parade here, beginning at 9:00 on New Year's Day.

And now please excuse me while I spray a fresh coat of gold paint onto my sneakers. Every Mummer must have golden slippers!

10 comments:

anne marie in philly said...

(singing o dem golden slippers in my head)

buzz is a cutie! he looks like he gives good smooches too!

FUCK YEAH WE ARE PROUD TO BE FROM PHILLY!

Unknown said...

As we travel in the footsteps of those who've gone before us up(now down) the Golden Street, we lift the spirits of all who watch and join in the merriment of our day- see you soon!!!

Unknown said...

As we travel in the footsteps of those who've gone before us up(now down) the Golden Street, we lift the spirits of all who watch and join in the merriment of our day- see you soon!!!

Marie Smith said...

Great fun! Love mummers.

Bob said...

What a fabulous parade! Of course, i dress like that just lounging about the house!

Ol'Buzzard said...

First ran into mummers in Newfoundland. Also a good dress up parade is when the Indians dress up in New Orleans.
the Ol'Buzzard

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Buzz looks like he knows how to have FUN! And I know that's what the Two Street Stompers and all the other mummers will have tomorrow! Enjoy!

Unknown said...

The tradition of bringing in a new year full of hope is an old one. We symbolically wish for health, peace, friendship, ample housing, clothing, food and drink,unity,charity and more in our "strut"... Happy New Year everyone.
Pop Pop Young

anne marie in philly said...

@bob - I KNOW you do! ;-b

yellowdoggranny said...

have fun..and Buzz looks like he knows how to have fun too.