The Mummers Parade with Hegeman String Band – Part 3

The Hegeman String Band on Mummers Parade Day 1-1-12 - Mummers in Philadelphia

The Mummers Parade with Hegeman String Band – Part 3

“Walking Down Broad Street in Philadelphia”

The Mummers Parade in Philadelphia happens every New Year’s Day. It’s a fun time and a great experience for everyone to experience once in their lifetime, watching the parade from the sidelines.

The Mummer Experience & Atmosphere with the Hegeman String Band

As I mentioned in Part’s 1 and 2, I was able to experience this Mummers Parade from behind the scenes, and that I was able to walk up Broad Street with the Hegeman String Band as a Marshall. I can honestly tell you first hand, that it’s a lot of hard work. There should be more appreciation for these individuals that give countless hours of their time monthly, especially the last 3 weeks leading up to the big show on New Year’s Day. Many of these individuals are blue-collared workers and there are many that are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of Mummers.

In this post, I want to share what happens in a full day, from a Mummer’s perspective. For some, their day could start as early as 5 am in the morning, ending anywhere from 7 pm to midnight, depending if they participate in the party festivities after the Mummer’s Parade on 2nd Street, known as Two Street by the Mummers and those in South Philly.

Mashalls of the Hegeman String Band setting up - Mummers Parade in Philadelphia - 1/1/12 .Here are some of the Marshall’s of the Hegeman String Band, putting the props together, waiting for the band members. This is when some changes are made to the props, sometimes cutting pieces off or trimming of the props, making them fit to height specifications.

After the band members assemble into the parking lot, the Marshalls will run a few practices with the band, making sure that we had our timing down since some of the props will be turned around or moved around during the actual show. As explained in this post, The Mummers Parade, there are four divisions.

Mummers Parade Marching Positions for 2012The Hegeman String Band is in the String Band Division and there were 17 string bands this year. We ended up going number 16 and it was getting dark as we approached the judging area. Here are some more video links :

  • A string band starting up Broad St from Oregon Ave in Philadelphia – Click Here
  • The Hegeman String Band marching down Broad Street – Click Here

Hegeman String Band walking up Broad Street - Mummers Parade in Philadelphia

As you can see, we are now about 3 blocks away from City Hall. The Mummers Parade route was changed this year due to construction  At this point, we have gone about 2.3 miles with about .5 miles to go until we get to the judging area. You will see trucks in the some of the pictures. These trucks followed us with food and water.

There are 5 staging areas that each band performs at along the route on Broad Street prior to the judging area at the end of the route. These staging areas are where the bands perform their routine for people to watch.

So much goes on during the Mummers Parade, such as clowns clowning around. (right picture)

Mummers Parade in Philadelphia 2012 - Clowns clowning aroundJohn Baron - Captain of the Hegeman String BandOn your left, you have John Baron, Hegeman’s Captain who came in 6th this year of all captains, after coming in 5th last year.

Keep in mind that the Fancy Brigades only go from Oregon Avenue to Washington Avenue. They then get bussed to the Convention Center to where they get judged. Tony Luke Jr of Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks, was MC this year at the Convention Center.

Mummers Parade Results for all four divisions – Click Here

 

The 6th Place Hegeman String Band


Hegeman came in 7th in the 2011 Mummers Parade, so this was one better. My prediction for 2013, I would say nothing worse than 3rd Place. The video above is from Tulstar Productions. Click Here

 

Winner of the 2012 Mummers Parade – Woodland String Band

  
The Woodland String Band certainly did a great job all around, and so deserving of 1st Place in the 2012 Mummers Parade. Congratulations.

 

The ending of the Mummers Parade – The Long Day is Over

The Hegeman String Band just got off the busses from the staging area, heading to Two Street. It was about 5 minutes later that they found out that they came in 6th place out of 17 string bands in the Mummers Parade.

Party on Two Street aka 2nd Street after the Mummers Parade

After the Mummers Parade is done, everyone heads down to 2nd Street aka Two Street, from 2nd and Manton Street down to 2nd and Synder Avenue. As you can see, it’s mobbed, almost like a mini Mardi Gras.

Many of the clubs also have small parties inside their clubhouse with food and drinks. At Hegeman’s Club, they have Angelo Lutz from his restaurant, Kitchen Consigliere in Collingswood, New Jersey. Angelo caters their party with some excellent foods.

Inside the Hegeman Club after the Mummers Parade. Click Here – And there are some that have not been mentioned in this article that mean a lot to the bands success. Such as the drivers of the trucks, the Marshalls, and those that set the markers to where the props must start at. And we can’t forget about those builders who build the props, and the painters that give the props color. A big shout out and thanks to all involved.

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***Most of the pictures below are in chronological order from the parking lot, to Oregon Avenue, up Broad St. to City Hall***