“There is nothing organized. There is no official parade,” said Same Regalbuto, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association.
Regalbuto says they are asking their members to put out the tradition of this year.
“As a person directly affected by COVID, we call on people to stay at home and be safe with their families,” he said.
Online, a Facebook page featuring two anonymous hosts declared a Mummer’s New Year’s Day protest against Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
About 2800 people have already signed up and confirmed that they will attend it.
The city is appealing to people to stay at home and stay safe.
“We’re just going to go there, prop and give away free disinfectant to everyone,” Michael McGrail said.
McGrail is not a member of any Mummer club, but plans to hand out safety gear to those who want to attend Friday’s unofficial event.
“We’re going on somehow,” he said.
“It hurts a little bit because we’re here, and we usually have a lot of issues when they’re here,” Neil Mininger said.
Meanwhile, some residents in the area feel that this new year will be quieter.
Others do not decide whether to attend the unofficial festivals.
“I may. I might not. I’m nervous about it. I do not want to catch it, ‘says Rebecca Nini.
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