“Nothing is organized. There is no official parade,” said Same Regalbuto, president of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association.
Regalbuto says he is asking their members to give up this year’s tradition.
“As a person who has been directly affected by COVID, we urge people to stay home and be safe with their families,” he said.
Online, a Facebook page with two anonymous hosts declared a New Year’s Mummer protest against Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
About 2,800 people have already signed up and confirmed their participation.
The city urges people to stay home and stay safe.
“We will go down there, gather and give everyone free hand sanitizer,” said Michael McGrail.
McGrail is not a member of any of Mummer’s clubs, but plans to hand out safety kits to those who want to attend Friday’s informal event.
“We will move forward in one way or another,” he said.
“It hurts a little bit because we’re here and we usually have a lot of business when I’m here,” said Neil Mininger.
Meanwhile, some residents in the area believe that this new year will be quieter.
Others have not decided whether to attend the unofficial festivities.
“I might. I might not. I’m a little nervous about it. I don’t want to catch him or anything,” Rebecca Nini said.
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