A Mummer Birthday: Student Celebrates During Annual Parade

BROWNS MILLS, (NJ) - It is always a big party when Nick Harris celebrates his birthday.

Harris, who turned 18 on Jan. 1, is a Mummer and spent his milestone day marching and performing in Philadelphia in front of several thousand people.

"It feels like a big explosion party for me," Harris said. "Not everyone knows it is my birthday, just those close to me."

Harris, a senior at Pemberton Township High School, joined the Downtowners Fancy Brigade two years ago after spending several years watching the group, and his uncle Hugh Nungesser, perform each New Year's Day during the annual parade in Philadelphia.

"I watched (the parade) as a kid," Harris said. "I used to marshal for it by pushing the giant floats when I was six."

It is more than just a family legacy that makes Harris spend a lot of time drilling with the other 90 costumed members of the 150-person brigade to prepare for the annual parade and two shows at the Philadelphia Convention Center each year.

"I take a lot of pride in the whole club," Harris said. "I like to see the smiles on little kids' faces."

Harris is part of a Philadelphia tradition with roots back to the 1600s, according to the city's Internet site displaying a history of the Mummers.

The custom of costumes, parades, music and merrymaking on the first day of the new year comes from a diverse blend of ethnic traditions from Europe and Africa, according to the site.

Various ethnic groups celebrated the new year by visiting others in their neighborhoods, some with musical instruments and others wearing comic or other costumes.

During the 1800s, some of the first Mummer groups organized and started creating their own costumes for the celebration, according to the site.

The first official parade took place in 1901, showcasing each of these groups.

Harris spent $900 on this year's costume, which was handmade in line with the samurai theme of his brigade.

"(The costume company) comes in March to measure us and then return to their factory to sew for the rest of the year," Harris said.