The first official staging of this colorful celebration took place in a year and a city of great patriotic significance in the U.S., and it is still among that city's most famous holiday traditions. Much influenced by customs borrowed from the U.K. and Scandinavia, the event has often been compared with another that takes place later in the year in another U.S. urban center. What is it?

Kapuskasing

I'd guess it's our Philadelphia Mummers. http://www.mummersmuseum.com/ http://www.mummers.com/ Jan 25 07, 5:22 PM

lanfranco

And so it is, Kapuskasing, so a silver mace to you! Or would you prefer a silver banjo? My husband grew up with the Mummers Parade, and I've become fond of it, without quite comparing it with Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I recently read that the Prince of Wales and his wife are about to visit Philadelphia and that the Mummers are going to perform for them. That should be an event. Here's more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Parade Jan 25 07, 5:36 PM

Kapuskasing

Oh, just send me a nice pair of dem golden slippers... aren't they just spray-painted sneakers? Jan 25 07, 6:10 PM

lanfranco

Ooh! Clever, Kap. (And yes, they're spray-painted.) Guess I'd better add a reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Dem_Golden_Slippers Jan 25 07, 6:34 PM

star_gazer

I went to one once, lots of drinking. Jan 25 07, 7:27 PM