New Year's Day Mummers Parade: Philadelphia's Mardi Gras

Wikipedia article
Official site

I have heard the word "Mummers" tossed around from time to time, but had never really considered it until today. There is still a lot I don't understand. What I do know is that Philadelphia has a traditional, and unusual, parade each year on New Year's Day. Various clubs from around the city compete in different categories such as "Fancies". I had the pleasure of attending today. It was unlike any other parade I have ever seen, either in person or on TV. Example: There was a guy in the parade dressed as a wedge of cheese and smoking a cigarette. Why? Why not! Also, there were groups of characters that did not seem to go together in any way. We saw Mr. Potato Head next to a lighthouse and a furry-costumed guy with a big clock on his chest. Trippy. There were a lot of men in dresses, pirates, and the occasional political statement. Many of the people in the parade were drinking beer as they walked along. In fact, almost all of they guys in dresses had matching purses loaded with Miller. It was highly entertaining.