Philadelphia Mummers Parade postpones String Band competition for first time due to windy weather

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Philadelphia Mummers Parade postpones String Band competition for first time due to windy weather

Mother Nature had her say and disrupted the 125th annual Mummers Parade in 2026. Officials say high winds blew around the bands’ props on Thursday.

A statement from the Philadelphia Mummers Parade said the String Band competition is suspended after some bands suffered wind damage during unloading and setup.

Philadelphia String Band Association President Sam Regalbuto told CBS News Philadelphia that it’s the first time in the 125-year history of the Mummers Parade that the String Band competition had to be suspended.

During the official parade broadcast on WFMZ, there were reports that five Mummers were injured in the windy conditions, though Regalbuto said that he didn’t have an exact number on how many people were hurt.

Snow squalls packed with strong wind gusts blew through the region early Thursday morning, leaving frigid temperatures and icy streets in their wake.

“Those winds came through and just decimated our sets,” Regalbuto said.

CBS News Philadelphia

Regalbuto said one person working on the sets was taken to the hospital with more serious injuries and another was treated by a paramedic.

“And then we had a few others with minor injuries, they got banged up a little bit,” he said. “The props were flying all over.”

Mummers Parade organizers said in a statement that the String Band competition will be rescheduled, but a date, time or location have yet to be announced.

The conditions of the five injured Mummers were not immediately available. An announcement made on WFMZ’s broadcast said the performers were taken to an area hospital.

“Safety of performers is of utmost importance when making this decision,” Mummers Parade organizers said in a statement

Though the String Band competition portion of the parade was postponed, the bands still marched — but did so without their props as the rest of the parade went off without a problem.

Mummers competed in the four other divisions – the Comics, the Wench Brigades, the Fancies, and the Fancy Brigades. Each one focused on a unique performance style while dressed head to toe in elaborate costumes covered in feathers, sequins and hand-painted details.

One participant said the parade’s spirit endured despite the harsh weather.

“The camaraderie and just everybody being happy today and being together and dancing,” the performer said. “Just seeing everybody perform after a whole year of preparing for this.”

Crowds of spectators lined the streets Thursday morning and some were bundled up in blankets, while others danced right along with the performers.

“He gets so excited because of all the colors, and the Comics come over and mess with him and give him stuff,” Jake Williams, of Williamsport, said. “He has a wonderful time dancing. He goes back home and he struts around and they say, ‘What is he doing? What’s wrong with him?’ He’s strutting.”