Welcome in 2016! This year, like every other year, Philadelphians are lining up and down Two Street to raise a glass and cheer on this city’s band of mummers during the annual Mummers Day Parade. Philly is home to plenty of fun and unique traditions, but our New Year’s festival takes the cake! With brightly colored costumes, five divisions of participants put on an engaging display across the city for all to enjoy.
But where did the tradition come from? And what all is involved in the planning of this and other events in which the Mummers participate throughout the year? We asked these and other questions of Tom Loomis, the President of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association, who gave us plenty of insight into the organization that makes our favorite day of the year so memorable!
Philly PR Girl: Tell us a bit about yourself! Are you from Philly originally? What are your hobbies and interests?
Tom Loomis: I was born and raised in Pennsauken, NJ. I became a member of the Woodland String Band in 1977 and have been in the band ever since. I was elected the band’s president in 1989 and still serve in that capacity. More importantly, I am a costumed member who plays bass saxophone. Mummery is my only hobby. I used to bowl and golf, but I now give my free time to Mummery.
Philly PR Girl: What are your primary responsibilities as President of the PMSBA? Is yours a seasonal or year-round position?
Tom Loomis: The job of PMSBA president is a year round job. We have 16 bands who are active year round in rehearsals, parades, and fund raisers. We meet monthly year-round, except in July and August. My responsibilities are to help coordinate the New Year’s Day efforts as well as work on other events such as String Band Weekend in North Wildwood and our Annual Show of Shows. I also meet with the city reps throughout the year and work on parade planning.
Philly PR Girl: How do you describe the Mummers Day Parade to those not familiar with Philly’s celebration?
Tom Loomis: It is a special parade of the people and by the people. We range from the funny to the serious (not too serious) and we are suffering entertainers. Our costumes are beautiful and so detailed. The String Bands play a style of music that can be heard on in Philadelphia and the Fancy Division will wow you with their costumes. The Comic Division will make you laugh and have you guessing sometimes, while the Fancy Brigades will dazzle you with the amazing shows they put on inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center. We are the nation’s oldest folk parade and we will work tirelessly to keep this tradition alive and well.
Philly PR Girl: Are the Mummers native to Philadelphia? How did this tradition come about?
Tom Loomis: The term Mummery is traced back to Northern Europe and is loosely translated into the term “to Mime.” The Northern Europeans brought the tradition to Philadelphia and used to go from house to house dressed in costumes in masks banging drums, pots or other items to make noise in an effort to scare away the evil spirits of the previous year and welcome in the good spirits of the New Year. Somehow that became this wonderful tradition we have today.
Philly PR Girl: What separates the String Band Association from the other divisions in the Mummers Day Parade?
Tom Loomis: Nothing other than we are a different division with different rules to follow. We are the “Musical Mummers,” but all of the different division are just mummers.
Philly PR Girl: How long have you participated with the Mummers, and in what capacity?
Tom Loomis: I started marching in 1972 as an Alto Sax player in the Avalon String Band. From there I went to the Uptown String Band from 1974-1977 as a tenor saxophone player. I joined Woodland at the request of my girlfriend who had an uncle there back in 1977. I joined as a baritone sax player and moved to bass saxophone in 1979. I joined the US Navy in 1979 and in my 4 years of active duty I missed just one New Year’s Parade (1981). I was discharged in 1983 and in 1984 I was elected band Secretary. In 1985 I was elected the bands Vice President and in 1980 Band President. I now march with my 27 year old son Tommy Jr. He joined me in costume 15 years ago when he turned 12 years old. There are 24 father-son combinations in Woodland today.
Philly PR Girl: You were instrumental in the planning of last year’s change in the parade route. What other significant changes have you seen or experienced throughout your years with the Mummers and the String Band Association?
Tom Loomis: When you say significant, I have to say I played an equal share roll along with the other four division presidents. Change is scary and we will all never agree on changes, but the five presidents felt we had to do something to make the parade more fan friendly and attract the people back to Broad Street. Changes have been going on for the 117 years we have been an organized parade. From route changes, to the organization of the Fancy Brigade Division and Comic Wench Division. At one time this parade was nearly four miles long.
Philly PR Girl: What are some of your favorite charity organizations and events to attend and give back to?
Tom Loomis: The Woodland String Band is a proud sponsor of an American Red Cross Blood Drive every year and we have been doing that for nearly 20 years. Inside of Mummery there is an organization called “Mummers Against Cancer” and they do great things for Mummers and their family members who are fighting cancer. We proudly support them as well. A new charity we support with our whole heart is “Santino’s Dragons.” This is a grass roots effort by a young man who has Autism and through his drawings of Dragon that he did to “release his inner Dragon” he and his parents are raising money for things like and Arts and Crafts night that is held weekly at Woodland String Bands Anderson Hall and this year they are kicking off a sports league for handicapped children in South Philly.
Philly PR Girl: What do you love most about leading the PMSBA and being involved in these beloved celebrations?
Tom Loomis: I wouldn’t call it “leading,” it is just a position where I get to help my fellow Mummer’s and we work as a team. I love helping protect and grow our great tradition. I have made lifelong friends through Mummery. My best man was a member of Woodland, he is my daughter’s godfather and I am his daughter’s godfather. We attend each-others weddings, birthday parties and yes even funerals are a Mummer’s event. I love being a Mummer and I hope I can help contribute something that helps our tradition grown and last for another 117 years.
Are you a Mummers fan? How will you be ringing in the New Year today? Let us know in the comments!
