Like Eddie said ...
The "Mummers" are a group of street performers that march through Philadelphia every New years day for the last 100 years or so. It began as a strictly men's organization, but today - it's a family deal that features full blown stage shows and elaborate costuming ! The music is mostly played by string bands (banjos & saxs)and is usually lively 2 beat stuff from the roaring 20's.
Some popular Phily Phavorites are:
Golden Slippers
Bill Bailey
Happy Days are here again
4 Leaf Clover
Hail, Hail the gangs all here ....
that kind of happy stuff.
They do a weird little "strut" that looks like a clown dance, but if you're not from Phily .... you just look silly struttin !
It even made it's way out to the "Left" coast .. but it's not the same. Mummers belong in Philly, like the Phanatic and soft pretzles !

[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 01-01-2003).]