Whether you are new to the Philadelphia area or just visiting us during this holiday season. there are a few things you need to know when it comes to New Year’s Eve. First, Philadelphians like to party. There is not a restaurant, bar, ballroom, living room or basement that will not be hopping with the sounds of revelry come midnight. Second, being a historical town, we honor tradition. And on New Year’s, that means two things: fireworks on the river and Mummers on Broad Street.
There’s no more picturesque space in the city for fireworks than over the water, so the city luggs a barge loaded with pyrotechnics out just south of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge each year for a skyward celebration. This year, they are going twice as big, as SugarHouse Casino sponsors a Twicethe Fireworks! Twice the Fun! event with two shows: 6 p.m. and midnight.
You can cast your eyes up from neary anywhere and town if you want to get a gander of the display, or you can head to the waterfront for the best view. Skate through the show at the Blue Cross River Rink, get a view on board tthe Battleship New Jersey or one of the two ships of the Independence Seaport Museum, or have some dinner with the display at The Chart House, Moshulu or onboard the Philadelphia Belle or Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruisers.
The next morning, it’s all about the Mummers Parade. Kicking off at 10 a.m. and strutting up Broad Street from South Philly, the one of a kind event is full of sparkle, sequins and spunk contributed by more than 10,000 participants. Four types of groups will entertain — the Comics, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — each with their own charm and appear. Try to snag seats in the gradnstands by the staging areas where the skits and tunes will be performed .. the best of which is at broad and Washington, the only spot where are four classes will perform.
True fans can also get seats for the two Fancy Brigade finale shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at noon and 5 p.m.
And, of course, if the partying on the Eve is making getting out of bed a little too difficult, you can watch the fun on TV on PHL 17.
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December 29, 2010New Year's Eve Blowout: Annual Atrium Party at the Hyatt Regency
