As the holiday season continues in our city of Brotherly of Love, the average Philadelphian always looks forward to the Mummers Day Parade. In most cities, New Year’s Eve is the big hurrah and main event. However, here in Philly we do things a tad different. We rev up January 1st for a day full of merriment, drinking, friends, family, and the Mummers.
This year marks a very special parade with the inclusion of some of Philadelphia’s brightest and best drag queens in what will be the first ever Drag Brigade. Ten talented queens were chosen by long time Philadelphia drag power house Brittany Lynn (Ian Morrison out of lashes and heels). Each queen will be leading a brigade they were specifically paired with down Broad Street from Washington Avenue to City Hall early New Year’s Day. Later that afternoon, each queen will be outfitted to match her assigned brigade and perform a two minute introduction at the Convention Center.
Live Love Philly had the opportunity to ask Morrison, who is performing with the Shooting Stars brigade, a few questions about this revolutionary addition to the parade.
Live Love Philly (LLP): What positive message is being sent by drag culture being included in this year’s Mummers Day Parade?
Morrison: Drag has always been included in the Mummers tradition; however, once women were allowed to participate, drag was no longer a necessity. What’s amazing about this event is that the Mummers are allowing us to form the first “drag brigade”, and to be a regular part of such a mainstream, city wide and televised event. It’s like telling the nation, “Hey, look at our gays!”
LLP: What is special about the ten queens chosen by you to be included?
M: The ten girls I picked were chosen for their professionalism and talents. Each one was specifically matched to the theme of their brigade. They are all amazing at what they do and I give them my full confidence that they are gonna knock this out of the park on New Year’s Day.
LLP: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s parade?
M: I’m looking forward to presenting my drag mafia to the masses. There are literally thousands of people at the convention center ready to cheer on the brigades. First marching down Broad Street with the String Bands in front of the entire city and visiting spectators, then performing for the masses at the Convention Center, it’s like the city is saying, “Thanks for doing what you do and doing it with us.” That beats Ru Paul’s Drag Race on any day.
The queens joining Brittany Lynn are listed below along the name of their brigade. They are:
Crystal T. Electra – Downtowners
Mrs. P. – South Philly Vikings
Navaya Shay – Golden Crown
Bridget Jones – Clevemore
Cherry Pop – Avenuers
Stella D’Oro – 2nd Street Shooters
Mary D’ Knight – Satin Slippers
After this bevy of beauties are warmly welcomed by all, expect loads of charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent at this years historical Mummers Day Parade.
Related articles
- Ringing in the New Year at the 2013 Philadelphia Mummers Parade | cnbnews (gloucestercitynews.net)
- New Year’s Traditions: Mummers Parade, Fireworks and More Make Philly More Fun for the New Year – MarketWatch (gloucestercitynews.typepad.com)
- New Year’s Day Mummers Parade in Philly 2013 (onthevergeoftears.wordpress.com)
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