When I think of Mummers string bands, I imagine the string bands of my childhood – masses of banjos in parade formation, supplemented by saxophones and glockenspiels, all played by guys wearing sequins and plywood backpieces adorned with ostrich feathers. They probably had their heyday in post-WWII era, when Ferko String Band cut some LPs. Throughout my childhood string bands sounded like this 1947 recording.
Though the Mummers Parade might seem timeless, it’s changed a lot over its history. The parade is 125 years old, but for the string bands 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the modern era. That was the year Harrowgate (now Uptown) broke with the drill-formation marching tradition and introduced dancing to their routine. They took home first prize.
That opened the floodgates. Nowadays every band’s four-and-a-half minute performance is a miniature stage show with complex props and dance numbers. The sound has changed, too. The rules bar brass instruments – only strings, reeds and percussion are allowed – but saxophones, not banjos, now dominate their sound, and arrangements incorporate lots more jazz chords. The costumes seldom incorporate ostrich feathers anymore; they’re too expensive.
To hear how much the music and presentation have changed, this is how Ferko looked and sounded in last year’s parade.
Only 14 bands are marching this year, but most of them sound more professional than ever. Last year, two bands, South Philadelphia and Quaker City, shared first prize. It’s on TV, but I’ll be streaming it at WFMZ.com. The string band portion will start about 1:30 p.m.