NBC10: 12/17/2014

"The hope is that by adding a parade in addition to the long-running New Year’s Day parade, the increasingly-expensive Mummers tradition can stay sustainable for years to come."

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/Mummers-Manayunk-Parade-Mardi-Gras-286038281.html

CBS Philly: 2/12/2015

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-mardi-gras-celebrations-in-philadelphia/

Digital Journal: 11/20/2014

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/business/Mummers-Manayunk-Parade-Mardi-Gras-286038281.html

CBS Philly: 12/17/2014

"I am so excited to be announcing today that we will be hosting a Mummers parade on Main Street in Manayunk in February," said Jane Lipton, executive director of the Manayunk Development Corp., at a news conference at the newly opened Venice Island Performing Arts Center. "This is our Mardi Gras celebration." "The main reason that we are doing this," Lipton said, "is that we are committed as a district, as a community, and as a city to keeping this amazing tradition going in Philadelphia." Proceeds will go to the Philadelphia String Band Association and the bands that participate in the parade, Lipton said.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/12/17/mummers-add-a-second-parade-through-manayunk-around-mard…

6ABC: 12/17/2014

http://6abc.com/entertainment/mummers-set-mardis-gras-parade-for-february/441043/

Philadelphia Inquirer: 12/17/2014

"I am so excited to be announcing today that we will be hosting a Mummers parade on Main Street in Manayunk in February," said Jane Lipton, executive director of the Manayunk Development Corp., at a news conference at the newly opened Venice Island Performing Arts Center. "This is our Mardi Gras celebration." "The main reason that we are doing this," Lipton said, "is that we are committed as a district, as a community, and as a city to keeping this amazing tradition going in Philadelphia." Proceeds will go to the Philadelphia String Band Association and the bands that participate in the parade, Lipton said. "Without his efforts, we would never have put all this together," Lipton said of DeCandido, strategic marketing director of the production company Advent.

"Every costume you're going to see on Broad Street and here on Feb. 22, we raise the money. We do it," said Tom Loomis, president of the association."We're just regular guys and gals that work all day long - blue-collar, white-collar, retired, young - and we love keeping tradition alive," Loomis said. Keeping that tradition going has been a challenge, too, for the city. Officials have reduced how much City Hall will pay to cover costs associated with the Jan. 1 parade, as well as other ethnic parades and street festivals.

"Many years ago, we almost lost this parade," said U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, who in 2010 helped establish the nonprofit Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund, which disburses money to help the city cover non-police costs associated with more than a dozen annual street events. Brady said officials planned to hand the city a check Thursday for $100,000. The Mardi Gras event will be a welcome addition to the continuing communal effort, the congressman said. "I promise you, I'll be here doing my strut," said Brady, who had warmed up the crowd minutes earlier by slinging Mardi Gras beads around his neck and starting a group strut as five Mummers played saxophone-heavy classics.

http://articles.philly.com/2014-12-19/news/57201072_1_mummers-parade-greater-philadelphia-traditions-fund-thanksgiving-day

Montgomery Media- Rox Review: 12/20/2014

"Lipton said this is also a perfect opportunity for those who love the Mummers but are unable to travel to Center City on Jan. 1 to see them in person. Lipton even brought up the possibility of finishing the parade at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center."

"U.S. Congressman Bob Brady was so thrilled by the announcement that he lead the Mummers’ Strut in the VIPAC Lobby. Brady has been a champion of community traditions, such as the Bike Race and the Mummers. “We almost lost this parade,” said Brady. “How many traditions does Philadelphia have left? This is our tradition. No one else can lay claim to this uniquely Philadelphia tradition, so it’s incumbent upon all of us who love this tradition to save it. I often say it: when we lose our traditions, we lose our identity.”

http://www.montgomerynews.com/

Times Herald: 12/18/2014

"Organizers say this year’s focus is on the music and won’t feature any of the comics, wenches, or fancies that populate the New Year’s event."

http://www.timesherald.com/lifestyle/20141218/mummers-to-march-in-philadelphia-for-mardi-gras

Daily Times Entertainment - DelcoTimes: 12/18/2014

"Lipton said this is also a perfect opportunity for those who love the Mummers but are unable to travel to Center City on Jan. 1 to see them in person. Lipton even brought up the possibility of finishing the parade at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center."

"U.S. Congressman Bob Brady was so thrilled by the announcement that he lead the Mummers’ Strut in the VIPAC Lobby. Brady has been a champion of community traditions, such as the Bike Race and the Mummers. “We almost lost this parade,” said Brady. “How many traditions does Philadelphia have left? This is our tradition. No one else can lay claim to this uniquely Philadelphia tradition, so it’s incumbent upon all of us who love this tradition to save it. I often say it: when we lose our traditions, we lose our identity.”

http://www.montgomerynews.com/

Times Herald: 12/18/2014

"Organizers say this year’s focus is on the music and won’t feature any of the comics, wenches, or fancies that populate the New Year’s event."

http://www.timesherald.com/lifestyle/20141218/mummers-to-march-in-philadelphia-for-mardi-gras

Daily Times Entertainment - DelcoTimes: 12/18/2014

http://www.delcotimes.com/arts-and-entertainment/20141218/mummers-plan-new-strut-in-philly-to-celebrate-mardi-gras

NewsWorks: 12/18/2014

"An average string band, for production for New Years Day, cost between $80,000 and $100,000, for each band. We raise it all on our own," said Tom Loomis, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association. "When we have somebody say, 'we want to help you raise money,' we want to listen." The Mummers have taken a hit in recent years as the city of Philadelphia has cut prize money and asked for the parade to pay for more expenses.

In response, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-Philadelphia, created the Philadelphia Traditions Fund, which seeks private donations to sustain the New Years Day parade. Like any working band, a Mummer String Band plays gigs year-round for fun and — mostly — for pay. Loomis' own band, Woodland, performed in 42 parades this year, sometimes traveling to other states and countries. "This is great for our district. It highlights our district in the dead of winter, which we're always happy to do," said Lipton. "I'm not going to lie, I'm a promoter."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/arts-culture/76442-mummers-plan-mardi-gras-encore-in-manayunk-photos

iRadioPhilly: 12/17/2014

"The MDC said this will be a fun and family-oriented event; No outdoor alcohol will be permitted and strictly enforced. They suggest patronizing the numerous bars and restaurants after the parade."

http://www.iradiophilly.com/conversation.php?idConversation=4318#.VJhTaMAA4

Roxborough-Manayunk Patch: 12/17/2014

http://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/mummers-planning-mardi-gras-parade-manayunk

Chron: 12/18/2014

http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/5-things-to-know-for-Thursday-in-Pennsylvania-5965524.php

Mr. Mummer: 12/16/2014

"Officials of the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC), ADVENT, the Philadelphia Mummers Association, and U.S. Congressman Robert A. Brady announced that the Philadelphia Mummers Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 10 am until 12 noon along the length of Manayunk’s famous Main Street retail and restaurant corridor."

http://www.mrmummer.com/blog/2014/12/mummers-mardi-gras-parade-in-manayunk/