A novel year for the Mummers Parade

It's a new year, and for the 116th Mummers Parade, perhaps a new era.

The iconic Philadelphia celebration Friday featured three new brigades, including two Hispanic performance groups and an African American drill team.

One costumed member of the Pirates Wench Brigade, who wouldn't give his name, said he welcomes the new groups and diversity. But he hoped they would adopt the Mummers' history rather than bringing their own.

"They're creating a tradition that's not really our tradition," said the man, a veteran of the brigade.

Some on social media and at the parade grounds questioned - or flatly disparaged - the addition of the diversity groups. At times interactions grew heated, with critics calling the event racist and diehard Mummers railing against perceived political correctness.

One man said he was punched in the face and called an antigay slur by a group of drunken Mummers.

Although not everyone welcomed them with open arms, the newcomers said they were happy to be invited.

Naadirah Sturgis, 13, a stepper in the Second 2 None Drill Team, said she was cold but not nervous just before her Mummers debut, around 9 a.m.

The drill team, made up of steppers between the ages of 8 and 17, performed marches including one named "Wing Dings." They were supported by eight drummers, who could be heard blocks away.

Justin Hardison of Bella Vista, in his third year watching the parade, applauded the new groups.

"I think it's a good thing," he said. "I don't know why it has to be a controversy."

What Hardison didn't like was the Mummers' route change, in its second year. Instead of heading north on Broad Street to City Hall, the parade starts there and heads south, ending at Washington Avenue.

After his crew of 60 completed its march, David Piña steered the San Mateo Carnavalero group onto Washington toward Front Street for some much-needed food and more fun.

Piña stamped their first Mummers Parade a success. San Mateo Carnavalero boasts a brass band that played music unique to Puebla, Mexico.

"This is not a change. It's something new to the city," he said. In the future, Piña said, he hopes to bring a full contingent of 300 to 400 people, "to show the tradition we have."

After Los Bomberos crossed the finish line, wearing winged Puerto Rican folk-art costumes with masks known as vejigantes, founder Tony Mendez said he wasn't sure what they would do next.

Maybe they'd pose for a few pictures, he said, but some members had to drive back to Allentown.

These groups, unlike the rest of the Mummers, didn't have plans to join the Two Street festivities that typically run late into the evening in South Philadelphia.

Mendez hopes to bring the group back next year, bigger and less rushed.

"It was a great experience," he said. "I think the audience enjoyed it."

With chilly but tolerable January weather, the crowds swelled through the afternoon, making some streets nearly impassable around City Hall.

Many of the groups played on popular 2015 themes, such as Pope Francis and the Minions film characters. One member of Froggy Carr, a Wench division, held up a sign with the pontiff dressed as an Eagles quarterback. Throughout the parade, other costumed "popes" stopped to pose for pictures with children and fans.

An entire brigade of Minions included one yellow-clad dad with his baby Minion strapped on his chest.

Despite the inclusion of new groups, some critics decried the parade as offensive. In one group, performers - even children - had brown paint on their faces and wore Mexican-style ponchos.

Mayor-elect Jim Kenney tweeted his disappointment after seeing a sign disparaging the transgender Caitlyn Jenner.

"Hurtful to many Philadelphians. Our Trans Citizens do not deserve this type of satire/insult," Kenney wrote.

And once again, signs parodying the Black Lives Matter movement popped up: "Mummers Wives Matter," "Wench Lives Matter," and "Pirate Lives Matter."

Criticism of similar signs last year led organizers to accept the new brigades, hoping the parade would better reflect the city's diverse population.

Still, young protesters flanked the Mummers on the fringes around Broad Street, rallying against police violence, low wages, and inadequate funding of Philadelphia schools.

Black Lives Matter activists and the Philly Coalition for REAL Justice set up camp near the clothespin sculpture across from City Hall. Two protesters were arrested. One was charged with disorderly conduct and the other with disrupting a meeting or procession.

Protesters were far outnumbered by police, on bicycles and on foot.

For first-time parade visitors not aware of the local controversies, the Mummers tradition brought joy and surprises.

Kristine League and her husband and children traveled from Maryland to catch the Mummers Parade in person.

"It's our first time in Philadelphia," said League. The show lived up to expectations for her family. Her little boy was wearing beads and waving a small American flag as the Mummers passed by.

For others, the century-old parade was a more personal family affair.

Eddie Bryson and his five brothers and sisters marched in the "Bryson Brigade" in honor of their late brother Joseph, nicknamed "Monk."

"He died in March 2015 and this was his favorite thing to do," said Eddie in front of City Hall. As part of the Wench Division, their brigade makes their own costumes, he added.

The parade is smaller than Paul DiGirolamo remembers from his childhood growing up in South Philly. But he still comes out to watch the string bands every year.

As for the new Hispanic and African American groups, "it's all good. The world changes," he said. "Things change."

dpurcell@phillynews.com

215-854-2771

@dylancpurcell

Staff writer David Gambacorta contributed to this article.

Corrected to note this was the 116th Mummers Parade.

Club Points

1. South Philadelphia . . . 95.75

2. Ferko . . . 95.40

3. Fralinger . . . 94.75

4. Woodland . . . 93.85

5. Hegeman . . . 91.85

6. Quaker City . . . 90.40

7. Polish American . . . 85.50

8. Aqua . . . 83.55

9. Uptown . . . 82.90

10. Duffy . . . 82.25

11. Pennsport . . . 78.15

12. Greater Kensington . . . 77.65

13. Durning . . . 76.50

14. Greater Overbrook . . . 73.55

15. Broomall . . . 66.20

16. Trilby . . . 60.20

17. Avalon . . . 80.35

1. John P. Baron (Hegeman) . . . 54.70

2. Denny Palandro (South

Philadelphia) . . . 54.25

(tie) Tom Robison (Woodland) . . . 54.25

4. Scott Wray (Fralinger) . . . 52.25

5. Joe "Asti" Pomante (Durning) . . . 51.90

6. Anthony Calenza (Ferko) . . . 51.40

7. Jim Good (Quaker City) . . . 51.15

8. Jeff Moyer (Greater

Kensington) . . . 50.60

9. Jamie Caldwell (Uptown) . . . 50.30

10. Charlie Nicholas (Pennsport) . . . 50.20

11. Ken Maminski (Aqua) . . . 49.55

12. Bill Razzano (Greater

Overbrook) . . . 48.00

13. Ted Kudrick (Duffy) . . . 44.85

14. Nick Magenta (Polish

American) . . . 44.15

15. Peter J. Broomall Sr.

(Broomall) . . . 33.25

16. Joseph Kaminski (Trilby) . . . 32.25

17. Carmen Maniaci (Avalon) . . . 45.35

No results available

Club Points

1. Golden Sunrise . . . 2141

1. Back to Our Roots (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 175

1. Here Comes the Sun (Golden

Sunrise). . . 85

2. Shaman (G. Sunrise) . . . 75

3. Demon Child (G. Sunrise) . . . 70

4. No Rest for the Wicked (G.

Sunrise) . . . 65

1. See You Later Alligator

(Golden Sunrise) . . . 75

2. Country Jamboree (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 65

3. Bats Out of Hell (Golden Sunrise) . . . 60

4. Rock Lobster (Golden Sunrise) . . . 55

5. Guardian of the Irish Spirit (G.Sunrise) . . . 50

1. The Beetle (Golden Sunrise). . . 75

2. Tribute to New Orleans

(Golden Sunrise). . . 65

3. Party Time (Golden Sunrise). . . 60

4. Pretty in Pink (Golden Sunrise). . . 55

1. In Search of the Holy Grail (Golden.

Sunrise). . . 75

2. Under the Sea (Golden Sunrise). . . 65

1. Jungle Drums (Golden Sunrise). . . 75

2. The Face of Evil (Golden Sunrise). . . 65

3. King Neptune (Golden Sunrise). . . 60

1. Hawaiin Party (G.Sunrise) . . . 75

2. Fire Starter (Golden Sunrise) . . . 65

3. Caddy Shackin (G. Sunrise). . . 60

4. Black Magic (G. Sunrise) . . . 55

5. Gladiator (Golden Sunrise) . . . 50

6. A Pirate's Life For Me (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 45

7. Oriental Fantasy (Golden Sunrise) . . . 40

8. Aztec Warrior (Golden Sunrise) . . . 35

9. America the Beautiful (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 30

10. Aztec Prince (Golden Sunrise) . . . 25

11. Magical Witch (Golden Sunrise) . . . 0

12. Got Color (Golden Sunrise) . . . 0

13. Carnival (Golden Sunrise) . . . 0

14. Defender of the Forest

(Golden Sunrise) . . . 0

15. Mummer Doll (Golden Sunrise) . . . 0

16. Just Clownin' Around (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 0

17. Down by the Railroad (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 0

1. Oompa Loompas on Parade

(Golden Sunrise). . . 30

2. Toys on Parade (Golden Sunrise). . . 20

3. Land of the Hobos (Golden Sunrise). . . 15

1. Dragon Fly (Golden Sunrise). . . 30

2. Snake Charmer (Golden Sunrise) . . . 28

3. The little Scarecrow (Golden

Sunrise). . . 27

4. Chief White Cloud (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 26

5. My Little Princess (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 25

6. Ice Princess (Golden Sunrise) . . . 24

7. Space Odyssey (Golden Sunrise) . . . 23

8. Send in the Clown (Golden

Sunrise) . . . 22

9. Fairy Princess (Golden Sunrise) . . . 21

Club Points

1. Murray . . . 8160

2. Goodtimers . . . 3790

3. Landi . . . 890

1. Mummopoly (Murray) . . . 300

2. A Mummer in the Tub

(Goodtimers) . . . 200

3. Jedi Knight Visits Philadelphia

(Landi) . . . 100

1. Saints and Finners (Murray) . . . 200

2. The Original Caesar Salad

(Goodtimers) . . . 190

3. Weather...or Not! (Murray) . . . 180

4. Siesta to Fiesta (Murray) . . . 170

5. Porta-Pope-A-Pocolypse

(Goodtimers) . . . 160

6. LoveBuzz: The Matriarchal

World of Bees (Murray) . . . 150

7. Surf Fin in the New Year

(Goodtimers) . . . 140

8. Mummers Mission to Mars

(Murray) . . . 130

9. Broad Street Lover Story

(Goodtimers) . . . 120

10. A Clown Allegiance to the

Flag (Murray) . . . 110

11. Wild Rovers are One in a

Minion (Murray) . . . 100

12. My Big Fat Italian Waiters

(Murray) . . . 90

13. Party Animals! (Goodtimers) . . . 80

14. Finnegan Goes for the

Gold (Goodtimers) . . . 70

15. Super Fiasco Brothers Save the

Wench! (Goodtimers) . . . 60

16. Black Beard's Treasure

Trouble (Goodtimers) . . . 50

17. Mummer Fried Chickens (Murray) . . . 40

18. Wenchin' Away Again... (Murray) . . . 30

19. Polka Dancing and Mummers

Struttin (Murray) . . . 20

20. Shake Rattle n' Roll (Landi) . . . 10

1. Welcome to the Party (Murray) . . . 200

2. Monster Splash (Murray) . . . 190

3. Donald's Dumped Divas (Murray) . . . 180

4. Hitch Bot Lives (Goodtimers) . . . 170

5. Disney Classics (Murray) . . . 160

6. Roaring 20's (Murray) . . . 150

7. Bargains at the Landi Thrift

Shop (Landi) . . . 140

8. Broad Street and Beyond (Murray) 130

9. Escape From Geriatric

Park (Goodtimers) . . . 120

10. Thanks for Waiting, the Pope!

(Landi) . . . 110

11. Freak Show (Landi) . . . 100

12. Cowboys vs. Indians (Murray) . . . 90

1. Miss Behavin (Murray) . . . 200

2. Energized Rabbit (Murray) . . . 190

3. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

(Murray) . . . 180

4. Puttin' on the Ritz (Murray) . . . 170

5. Time Flies When You're

Having (Murray) . . . 160

6. Live from AC: The Great

Debate (Murray) . . . 150

7. Modernized Jack in the Box

(Murray) . . . 140

8. Two 1 Night Stands (Murray) . . . 130

9. Back to the Future (Murray) . . . 120

10. Trump Meets Gump Stupid Is as

Stupid Does (Goodtimers) . . . 110

11. Political Puppet (Goodtimers) . . . 100

12. A Pair of Jokers (Goodtimers) . . . 90

13. Cajun Hillbillys Hobos (Murray) . . . 80

14. Happy Feet (Murray) . . . 70

15. You Better Watch Out...Pow!

Batman is coming to Town

(Landi) . . . 60

1. Hilary's Emails (Murray). . . 200

2. Mummers Fone Store (Murray) . . . 190

3. Dr. Howard - Fine Howard (Murray) 180

4. Ex-washing Machine

(Goodtimers) . . . 170

5. VooDoo Mistrol (Goodtimers) . . . 160

6. Mayor Elect De-bugging City

Hall (Murray) . . . 150

7. Tom Brady Deflategate (Landi) . . . 140

8. Chaplin-Broadway to Broad

Street (Goodtimers). . . 130

9. You're All Weirdos (Goodtimers). . . 120

10. Putting on the Ritz (Murray). . . 110

11. GI Joe (Murray). . . 100

12. Suburban Housewife (Murray). . . 90

13. Mrs. Rodgers (Goodtimers). . . 80

14. Pitts Top the Clown (Goodtimers). . . 70

15. Blessing on Broad Street (Landi). . . 60

16. Cat in the Hat (Murray). . . 50

17. Peggy Sue (Goodtimers). . . 40

18. Tambourine Girl (Murray). . . 30

19. Nurse Pinasure (Goodtimers). . . 20

20. Shutter Bug (Murray). . . 10

1. Hobo Express (Murray) . . . 200

2. Lola (Goodtimers) . . . 190

3. Free Bird Juggle Issues

(Goodtimers) . . . 180

4. My Moons Shining (Murray) . . . 170

5. Rub Dub Dub One Man in a

Tub (Murray) . . . 160

6. Frosty the Snowman (Murray) . . . 150

7. Fumble Bee (Murray) . . . 140

8. Searching for the Great

Pumpkin (Murray). . . 130

9. Old Man Winter (Murray) . . . 120

10. Dancing in the Rio (Goodtimers) . . . 110

11. Popcorn Vendor (Goodtimers) . . . 100

12. Blue Witch (Goodtimers) . . . 90

13. Bridal Witch (Landi) . . . 80

14. Schuylkill Mermaid (Landi) . . . 70

15. Shorthand for Computer

Techs (Murray) . . . 60

1. Wanna Be Gangsta "Wrapper"

(Murray). . . 200

2. Many Faces of a Clown (Murray). . . 190

3. Deviled Egg (Murray). . . 180

4. 2nd to Nun (Murray). . . 170

5. Chick Magnet (Murray). . . 160

6. Whee Whee Whee (Murray). . . 150

7. Cute Carnival Queen

(Goodtimers). . . 140

8. Under the Sea (Murray). . . 130

9. Little Joker (Goodtimers). . . 120

10. Good Ship Lollipop (Murray). . . 110

11. Jack Sparrow (Goodtimers). . . 100

12. King of the Mardi Gras

(Goodtimers). . . 90

13. Wine Fred the Witch

(Goodtimers). . . 80

14. Lego Cop (Murray) . . . 70

15. Hobo (Goodtimers). . . 60

16. Young Man in Paris (Goodtimers). . . 50

17. Super Fry (Purul). . . 40

18. Little Ms. Jester (Goodtimers). . . 30

19. Pope: I'm Only Here

for the Cheesesteak (Landi) . . . 20

20. Buck Hunter (Murray) . . . 10

1. Bud Ernig (Murray) . . . 300

1. Riverfront. . . 245

2. Oregon. . . 232

3. Saints. . . 222

4. Bryson. . . 213

5. Cara Liom. . . 205

6. Pirates. . . 169

7. Americans. . . 163

8. Froggy Carr. . . 161

9. O'Malley. . . 145