Last month, the string band division announced that they will forgo competitive judging for the 2021 Mummers Parade. They plan to parade if city allows and it will be in honor of the COVID19 hero’s (docs,nurses etc). There will be no new suits or routines for the 2021 Mummers Parade.  Below is the statement announcing the change for the 2021 Mummers Parade.

The Philadelphia String Band Association is aware that during this COVID-19 pandemic that many great events have been forced to reschedule or cancel. This evening the Philadelphia String Band Association has decided to continue their preparations for the annual Mummers Parade on Friday, January 1st, 2021 in the event that the City of Philadelphia and Health Department deem that it is safe for large special events to take place this winter.

The Philadelphia String Band Association has decided to forego competitive judging for our division and to use our portion of the parade as a tribute to our COVID-19 heroes. We will collaborate with the City of Philadelphia to turn the String Band division of the parade into a heroes parade honoring all of the essential workers that are assisting those affected by this current crisis. We will honor the following heroes: staff from the local hospitals, transportation workers, police, fire, and paramedic members and all other life sustaining essential workers that have kept us safe and strong during these difficult times.

We have decided to suspend the competitive judging of the 2021 parade due to the financial strain that COVID-19 has put on our organizations and its personal effects on our members. We will continue all aspects of our traditional New Year’s Day parade that you have come to know and love for the past 120 years. We will continue to follow the current crisis closely while assessing and discussing the 2021 parade regularly. During these unprecedented times, the Philadelphia String Band Association is hoping that everyone continues to stay healthy and safe.