Mummers String Bands Perform Following Weather Delay

After weeks following a weather delay, a dozen Mummers string bands finally performed at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Jan. 31, to complete the judged portion of the String Band Spectacular. The event was postponed from its regular New Year's Day date due to dangerous winds that raised safety concerns and caused damage to props.

Twelve string bands performed despite frigid temperatures, but one group withdrew due to the cold.

The move to Lincoln Financial Field for the string band marked a change from the traditional New Year's Day performances in Center City, but many families said they didn't mind the adjustment.

Sara Yurick said her children are too young to attend the parade, and the Linc offered a better setting to watch her husband perform.

"We're excited this will be their first time ever watching him perform," she said in a statement shared with CBS Philadelphia.

The Quaker City String Band was one of several groups to perform under its theme "Joker's Funhouse." The band reportedly featured about 67 costumed members and approximately 125 helpers for props and set pieces.

Matt Kelly Sr. told CBS Philadelphia that having the opportunity to perform alongside his 12-year-old son, Matt Kelly Jr., has been several years in the making.

"I've been waiting for this since he was born," Kelly said. "I'm crazy excited — and the next thing I'll be excited for after this is when his little brother gets to come with us."

South Philadelphia String Band captain Denny Palandro said that, even though the delay was necessary, the weather did not stop the Philadelphia tradition from taking place.

"I think our association did a great job putting this show together," he stated.