Mummers ready for another New Year’s revelry

The Mummers are preparing for their annual strut on New Year’s Day. The Philadelphia tradition will include some family-friendly upgrades this year.

About 10,000 marchers will take to the streets of South Philadelphia and Center City to launch 2013 with bright color and noise.

Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis says this year the city hopes to improve the experience for parade-watchers.

“We have beefed up our viewing areas, Broad and Moore bleachers, entertainment at the sites, bathrooms and food,” he said.

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For the second year, because of the Dilworth Plaza construction outside City Hall, DiBerardinis says the judging area will set up at John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 15th and 16th streets.

“We will have more bleachers, better sightlines and we will have jumbo TVs here,” he said. “It’s really spectacular. If people are interested, it will be a great place to watch the parade.”

The Philadelphia Traditions fund handed over a $100,000 check to the city to help defray the cost of this year’s renewal of a tradition that’s more than a century old.

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