Mummers Prepare To Strut

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's two days and counting until the Mummers make their annual strut up Broad Street and they're making the final parade preparations.

As the hours tick away toward New Year's Day, the string band clubhouses along Two Street are buzzing with activity, as feathers are stapled and glued to elaborate backpieces that will debut Saturday on South Broad.

Mummers Association president Bob Shannon, the retired captain of the Quaker City String Band, says with parade temperatures forecast in the 50s, the musicians won't have to worry about wearing extra layers, or having their instruments freeze up.

"The attitude that we do have, and I'm saying South Philly 'attytood,' is we thank the good Lord that we're having nice weather," he said.  "We want to get everybody to come back out to Broad Street and have a good time and watch the parade."

But in the meantime, Shannon says the string bands, comincs, fancies and fancy brigades will use every last moment to prepare and rehearse.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio