Mummer's ParadeWith its origins in the 1800s, the Philadelphia
Mummer's Parade is the traditional celebration of the New Year and
one of the country's oldest folk customs. Mummery in America is as
unique to Philadelphia as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans, and various
groups of mummers (masked or costumed merrymakers) compete for
originality, themes and costumes in a colourful extravaganza of
feathers, sequins, elaborate floats, music and dance. The parade
consists of three divisions, the Comics, who are an unstructured
division of dancing clowns and satirical performers; the
outrageously dressed Fancy Costume Brigade; and the String Bands
with marching musicians and precision drills.Gettysburg Re-enactmentThe Battle of Gettysburg was the most significant
battle of the American Civil War. Over three days in early July,
the blood of almost 50,000 soldiers was split on the fields outside
the town of Gettysburg, in the battle that would become the turning
point of the civil war. Today, a re-enactment of the battle takes
place as close to the original days (1-3 July) as possible
featuring tens of thousands of participants and spectators to
educate and make aware of the early violent past of this powerful
nation. The event is hugely popular and receives visitors from all
across the United States. There are plenty of food and merchandise
stalls too.
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