NB2, a Philadelphia-based apparel design company and online merchandiser, has partnered with SaveTheMummers.com to develop a unique merchandise branding program to generate revenue to preserve the parade and legacy of the Mummers.  The concept was presented to the Mummers by NB2 president Fred Lavner in the summer of 2009.

The new merchandise program will be rolled out in two stages, the first being an online store featuring novelty printed apparel, books, music and dvds.  A retail on-site program will begin in February at local museum gift shops, tourist attractions and other appropriate retail venues. At that time, the merchandise line will expand to include such items as musical Mummer bobbleheads, wind-up fancy strutters, comic finger puppets, musical chip tees and much more.

“I’ve always believed that the Mummers is a Philadelphia folk icon and as important and relevant to Philly as Music City is to Austin, as the blues are to Memphis, as the Grand Ole Opry is to Nashville, and as jazz is to Chicago,” Lavner said.  “But yet, virtually everything about Philadelphia souvenir merchandise is skewed to Ben, Betsy and the Bell.  What about supporting the unique and longstanding tradition of our Mummers?” continued Lavner.

Now, you’ll be able to show your support of the Mummers in new and exciting ways. And don’t forget to enter your name and email address under subscribe on the left,  so we can keep you updated on future merchandise offerings!

Price includes shipping and handling. Orders will be processed within 7-10 days. Proceeds from this special website offer go to SaveTheMummers.com.

Members of the Quaker City and Fralinger String Bands and members of the various Fancy and Wench Brigades were on hand to provide entertainment.

View the festivities below.

Join all Mummers and their fans on Sunday, November 22 at the Mummers Museum (2nd and Washington) at 3:00.

A pep rally will be held featuring Congressman Bob Brady, Save The Mummers Chairman of the Board George Badey, local leaders and politicians and much more.

Mummers and their supporters are encouraged to display the strong presence and support we have in the Philadelphia community by coming out for this Pep Rally! Physically being there is as important as your monetary donation and will demonstrate our determination and resilience.

In addition to updates on the parade and the fast-approaching Bacon Brothers Benefit, you will be able to buy tickets for the concert ($39.50, cash only please) with NO SERVICE CHARGE, plus, for the first time, the long-awaited Bacon Brothers / Mummers collaboration DVD of “New Years’ Day” will also be on sale for $10.

“THE NEW YEAR PARADE” BROUGHT MUMMER CULTURE TO FILM FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD; Now Set to Open at Ritz at the Bourse on October 30th

THE NEW YEAR PARADE, directed by Bucks County native Tom Quinn, will enjoy a week-long theatrical run at the Ritz Bourse in Philadelphia starting October 30th before arriving on DVD on November 24th. The fiction film is set against the working-class backdrop of Mummer culture and follows two South Philadelphia siblings through the first year of their parents’ divorce. The independent production was filmed over the course of three years with a cast of mostly non-actors including The South Philadelphia String Band, which welcomed the cast and crew in for over two years. With a seamless blend of fiction filmmaking and documentary footage, the film follows the band’s preparations for the 2005 Mummers Parade.

Although filmed for only $7,000, THE NEW YEAR PARADE won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative when it premiered at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, UT. It went on to win seven additional film festival awards around the country for best narrative, supporting actress, ensemble cast, and directing.

Join the filmmakers on Friday, October 30 for an Opening Night Party at the TOP HAT (247 Market Street, Philadelphia). Doors open at 9:00 p.m. following the 7:30 screening.

The cast and crew will be on hand for Q & A on the Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 evening showings.

Screening times: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30, from October 30 – November 5. Click here for more details on the Ritz at the Bourse.

View the trailer, and visit the official website for more details on the film and filmmakers.

Join the Bacon Brothers and the Mummers on Saturday, October 10 at Main Street Music in Manayunk (4444 Main Street)  for the much awaited release of their specially recorded version of “New Years Day” with Bunny Sigler. The rain-or-shine event will be held from noon – 2:00 p.m., with Mummers String Bands and Comics performing. Michael and Kevin Bacon will arrive around 1:00 and make an on-stage presentation of the DVDs, then sign copies at Main Street Music. Don’t miss this chance to get an autographed copy of your own! 

There are two important actions I ask each of you to take as you look around our site.

(1) Add your name and email address to our mailing list (you can do this from the homepage under “Subscribe”)

We DO NOT distribute our list, but YOU WILL get occasional (not frequent or bothersome) updates.

(2) Make a financial contribution (just click here to reach our secure site)

If every Mummer and his or her immediate family and friends make a modest donation, we will exceed our goals. It’s easy to donate – just click below to reach our secure site.

Every gift helps, no matter the size. Working together we will meet our financial goals.

We are thrilled this year to have the support of some other Philadelphia icons, the Bacon Brothers, who have stepped up in ways that would have been unimaginable a few short months ago. We cannot thank Michael and Kevin Bacon enough for their hard work and their continuing contributions that have inspired us all. Please make sure to read more about them on the site.

It’s no secret to say that we are living in an economic climate that is challenging us like never before. But know this; in such an era, those who take the bold and visionary steps are the ones that will survive. Like never before, mummers from all divisions have come together to take those bold steps, and to create the partnerships, teams and vision that will have us marching proudly on January 1, 2010, and every New Years Day into the future. In the weeks and months ahead you will hear more about some of those actions and of the progress we’re making. We look forward to hearing from you as well!

Yours truly in Mummery,

George J. Badey III, Esquire,

Chairman, Board of Directors, SaveTheMummers.com

SaveTheMummers.com – Board of Directors

George J. Badey III, Esquire, Chairman

Jacob P. Hart, Vice-Chairman

James P. Bradley, Jr., Secretary

Jacqualine McCann, Treasurer

Steven J. Coper, MBA, PMP

James J. Julia, MBA (President of Fancy Brigade Association)

John Lucas (President of Fancy Association)

Charles McKenna (President of Wench Brigade Association)

John R. Pignotti, Jr. (President of String Band Association)

Richard Porco (President of Comic Association)

Robert Shannon, Jr. (President of Mummers Association)

John F. Dailey, Jr., CPA, Auditor

Philadelphia natives Michael and Kevin Bacon were raised with the Mummers.

“We have such fond memories of growing up in Philadelphia and, as musicians, one of our most treasured memories is the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day,” says Michael Bacon.

Now an award-winning and accomplished musician, Michael first heard that there was a possibility that the 110-year-old Mummers parade might be cancelled in 2009 due to city budget shortfalls.

“We didn’t want to see such an influential musical tradition in Philly disappear,” he said, so he immediately called his brother Kevin, noted star of screen and stage and the other half of the Bacon Brothers Band. Together they agreed that they wanted to help in whatever way they could to save one of the great cultural icons of Philadelphia.

“I remember being lifted onto my Father’s shoulders on New Year’s Day to see the string bands and the Fancy’s marching up Broad Street. I figured every town in every state must have their own Mummers. It wasn’t until I left Philadelphia as a teenager that I came to realize that this was an event unique in the world,” said Kevin.

The Bacon Brothers have become even bigger fans of the Mummers this year. In June, they re-recorded their song “New Years Day” with over two dozen Mummers in a special arrangement by Mummers musician Herbie Smith. Grammy nominee Bunny Sigler joined them on the recording. Michael and Kevin not only donated their time at the recording session, they are donating 5,000 copies of the song on a special DVD that includes footage of the recording as well as archival footage of the Mummers in action. Details about the sale of the DVD will be released soon.

“My dream is that our collaboration on this song will help perpetuate this tradition and turn our little song into a big hit,” said Michael. “Maybe some day people all over the country won’t have to ask “what’s a Mummer?” but instead will be singing along with ‘New Year’s Day’ “

More importantly, the Bacon Brothers are headlining a benefit concert at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia on Saturday, December 5. The proceeds of the concert will go to Save the Mummers, and bands participating in the concert will be donating their appearance time. More details about the concert will be announced on this site as they are available, so make sure to sign up for our Save The Mummers updates. To order tickets for the concert, click here.

SavetheMummers.com members will be giving out free water ice at 3rd and Mifflin streets.