Philadelphia Mummers Parade Is 10,000 Strong

Continuing a tradition that dates back in some form to Colonial times, more than 10,000 people -- including many men in wigs and dresses -- strutted in Philadelphia’s annual Mummers Parade.

According to a history of the parade from the sponsoring New Year’s Shooters and Mummers Assn., it began with the custom of immigrants going door to door on New Year’s Day and dancing while reciting rhymes such as, “Here we stand before your door/As we stood the year before/Give us whiskey; give us gin/Open the door and let us in.”