The Doo Dah parade (from the song, "Zippidy Doo Dah" or, maybe, from the song, "Camptown Races") is held on the exact route as the Tournament of Roses parade.
The Mummers Day parade is one of the oldest, survivng rituals, dating back to ancient Rome. The brigades of string bands started in England and we added the horns, ourselves. Banjo enthusiats come from miles away to experience this all day, mobile extraviganza. Although the costumes used to mimic the 18th century minstral shows, blackface was forbidden years ago and women have been participating for decades. Recent parades have been marred by the rowdy behavior of a few oafs who are, still, celebrating New Year's Eve but it remains an event that all folkies should see. Paul Cadwell, the great classical banjoist who influenced every important 5 string player, from Roger Sprung to Eric Weissberg, came to Philly every New Year's Day to watch the bands go by.

                      Mike