12/30/2025
Hello, hello, hello!
I figured, since there were no more meetings, some people just catching up, and some stupid rumors going around, that it would be nice to reach out with one last, rounding post to the mums, mum friends, and our beloved neighbors to set some things in stone, and set some things straight.
- Remember to park your club trucks off of the curb in the morning to allow those in charge of setting up the barricades free range of motion to do so properly. We don't know when the barricade connection will begin, so just assume that you'll be in the way and give the workers enough room on one side, while leaving enough room for a truck and full brigade to get by on the other. Please use the east side of the street if possible to remain uniform and less of an obstacle.
- Please remember to remove your cars from the street at the earliest possible convenience on New Year's Eve. Most of you know what's coming. To those who don't, all cars need to be removed from the school yard, the school sides of Mifflin and McKean, and down 2nd/3rd from Washington through to Porter. Towing will begin early morning on the 1st. As a suggestion, I would move the vehicles the night before. Pull it off like a band-aid. Less to worry about for you, the city, the police, and the tow truck drivers that will likely, as always that day, be working double-time.
- If you are your club's contact, and have yet to get the contact number for the 2nd and Wash chute, please contact Cely Conover-Daniels via DM for said contact numbers. She and the good doctor, and well as a white shirt and small team of officers will be your guides onto the street. PLEASE do as they ask. If they tell you to wait, or stay, or stage, or move ahead of your time if you're ready PLEASE listen to them. They are there to help you, to help the police as insiders, to help the parade to flow. If they say they need you to do something, please understand that there's likely a very good reason for it, and proceed as they request.
- Remember that if you are a neighbor, or a mum friend, you can STILL do your part! We're not asking for a time sink that will ruin your night. We're looking for small things.
If you're walking by a Porta Potty that is still zip tied and have the means, PLEASE snip it for us. If you see a full trash can near you, please remove the liner, and maybe throw in a new one to reduce the mess. We think we might even be lucky enough to get sanitation to leave an extra liner in the bottom, under the original! If you see something out of hand, get an officer's attention. Or even mine. You'll see me making the rounds up and down second on the day. :)
- Please remember, we want EVERYONE entering the chute from Washington. We will NOT be allowing you through the chute from the North. If your tradition is to stop up at the bars on South Street, please make your way to Moyamensing and proceed to Wash via the Ave. DO NOT approach the chute from the north!
- There will be NO stopping to load/unload your trucks on 2nd. If you must load/unload your trucks, you will have to walk your things down from the Parking Lots under 95/front/water St area, or from the Avenue.
- We understand that some things will be evolving. Its the very nature of this lifestyle and parade. Its a living, breathing monument that thrives on chaos.
Things may change in a single second. We know that you're times are not etched in stone. You may run late, or early. And it may be by minutes, or half-hours.
We only ask that, as you enter Wash, or leave your favorite South Street bar, please contact the chute with your ETA. Not asking for much. Just a quick "we're leaving 'insert clubhouse, bar here' we'll be there in 20" or "we're coming down Wash now, expect to be there in 20" will do wonders to keep things rolling.
- Remember to be respectful of the neighbors with your music volume. We're not regulating your specific bass, or decibels, but you know what your equipment is capable of.
- Remember, there are 6 ADA compliant bathrooms on the street side of the barricades for easy access to the mummers. We will be sharing those with those that require ADA compliant portas. There are 96 standard porta potties inside the barricade for parade goers.
- MUMS, police your own. Put your marshals to work if the need arises. The police will be working with us this year, on the street side of the barricades. They will be trusting the mummers to self police ourselves while they focus on crowd control and safety.
- FUN News from the 3rd Street judges stand! There will be a new trophy system this year.
There will be division cups, with engravements that can be passed on each year, and immortalized. Just like the Broad Street parade. Depending on how much cleanup costs, Trish is also shooting for a cash prize for 1st place. When was the last time we saw THAT, eh?
Thank you SO much Tricia, for bringing life back into this wonderful tradition! We're so glad that you've decided to revitalize this! :)
- PLEASE, serenading your fellow clubs is fun. But they're giving us this back this year with the understanding that we keep this thing FLOWING! A song or two for your fellow clubs, perhaps two or three in front of your own. But PLEASE keep it moving.
- Keep in mind, my friends, that once your trucks enter the chute at 2nd and Washington, they are ours until Oregon. Your CLUB, the people walking, can feel free to escape out any of the openings designated as a crosswalk at any point. But NOT your trucks. Your trucks may not turn off till Oregon!
For reference, the above crosswalks will be located on the following streets: Washington, Wharton, Reed, Tasker, Morris, McKean and Snyder.
- The police/city are expecting the last club to step off at 10pm at 2nd and Wash. The trash trucks will be following that last truck.
No one will be turned off the street at this time, and everyone already on the street will be permitted to continue to march clear through the parade route as long as there are no serious delays. Keep it flowing, keep it moving, and there will be no problems!
I hope this little makeshift guide helps everyone a little to prepare for the BEST part of New Year's Day, and I hope you all have a blast. As always, I'm open to any and all questions. Feel free to reach out at any time!
Thank you,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Committee Mod,
Shannon Cobb
