Final rehearsals before 2023 Mummers Parade on New Year's Day

Saturday, December 31, 2022
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Streets in Philadelphia were quiet on Saturday night, but come Sunday morning mummers will be strutting their stuff right down South Broad Street.

"We're taking you to a whole new world! We are doing Aladdin! It's incredible, a lot of technology you'll see," said Felicia Punzo part of the Satin Slipper.
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The stage is almost set for the 123rd Philadelphia Mummers Parade.

After many practices, and final touches, the Mummers Parade will begin at 9 a.m.



"We've been working on this for about nine months. Our goal is to tell a story," said John Best, Television Producer.



For many, it's all about family, especially Felicia Punzo.

"I met my husband through the parade and now we have a baby together. He's gonna be a fourth-generation mummer. This is what it's all about," Punzo explained.

Choreographer of the South Philly Vikings, Andrea Kenney, has been coaching for more than a decade. She has a lot of memories to look back on.
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"It's a lot of work. We're not dealing with all professional dancers, some people have never danced a day in their life. To me, looking around at my family, seeing they have the same love I do is the best," said Kenney.

It's these final days that have clubs down to the wire, and it's worth it.

"Learning your drill and doing a drill in your costume, you gotta make sure you're doing it all right, and it's in front of a bunch of people... you can't mess up," explained Logan Mcginnis of Bill McIntyre's Shooting Stars.



A big part of it all is tradition and togetherness. There may be 11 clubs but they are one big family.

"The after-party, it's like one big family walking down Second Street," said McGinnis.

The parade starts at City Hall and heads south on Broad Street to Washington Ave. After Sunday, they have about a week off until they start planning for next year!
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