Mummers' Fancy Brigades Begin Convention Center Setup
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The 11 clubs competing in this year's Mummers' Fancy Brigade indoor shows today started moving sets, props, and other materials into the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The big event will take place on New Year's Day.
One of the competition rules is that clubs have just two days to move the larger pieces into the convention center.
"Today is the first move-in day, and that means that the clubs are bringing in a lot of the stuff that is already painted and have some special effects on them," says Jim Julia (below), president of the Fancy Brigade Association. "And they'll be brought in, they'll build the scaffolding, and they have until midnight tonight. Then tomorrow, again until midnight, is the second move-in day. And then the big doors shut and the only thing you can bring in is what can be brought in through the small doors."
Each club has 4 minutes and 30 seconds to present a stage production on New Year's Day. About 3, 500 mummers will perform.
There are two shows, at 12 noon and 5pm. Tickets are still available. For more information go to fancybrigade.com.
