Word on the Street!

Ralph Tursi, of JR Costumes and former captain of Clevemore Fancy Brigade, stops by as season 3 rolls on! He lets us in on a few tricks of his trade and shares his thoughts on the current state (and future) of New Year's Day festivities! SPONSORED BY: 1. The Mummers Museum: https://www.mummersmuseum.org/donate/2. Remedy Sales & Marketing: https://www.remedysm.com/3. Jewelry by Joseph: for all of your custom jewelry needs!

In the "Mum Offseason" our NEW season kicks off with talks on the 2027 themes and what we know so far. We share our thoughts on who and what we're looking forward to as well as our feelings on the Comic and Wench Division results from 2026! Billy Yocum, Jr. joins us for the FIRST TIME! Stay tuned for another fun season on the way! SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS on the upcoming 2027 parade for a chance to hear your comments on the next episode.

We FINALLY are able to say "that's a wrap!" on the 2026 String Band Division. Foley Anastasi of Duffy String Band stops down to as a guest host to point out our String Band Spectacular Positives and talk a little bit about the future of the Spectacular event. When? Where? How? ...will the string bands perform in 2027? COMMENT your thoughts now! want to hire Duffy? follow them: https://www.facebook.com/DuffySB/

An odd start to the Mum year! as we await the String Band Division competition - we sit down to share thoughts on this year's Fancy Brigade Finale. We breakdown our pre-run through night picks and share our updated rankings from afterwards!STAY TUNED for our next episode when the String Band Spectacular steps off!

Happy New Year's Eve to ALL of our WOTS Podcast faithful listeners! In this episode, we get into the moment that a lot of you have been WAITING for...our official 2026 Word on the Street Fancy Brigade Predictions! In addition to those, Jake Joyce of LIVE! Casino and Hotel dropped by and chatted with us about their relationship as the Sponsor of the Mummers Parade! THANK YOU ALL for a great 2025/26 Mum Season! A few more to come in season 2! Stay tuned!

THE PICKS ARE IN! Tis the season to be Mummin'! Word on the Street is back for another year of String Band Division predictions along with guest host Justin Graser. This year's holiday episode includes: Joey Toal & Bobby Galvin of the Mummers Chorus, Spanky Brown of Quaker City, Scott Ratzke of Ferko, and a special performance by the Mummers Chorus! Be sure to comment YOUR picks for this year's band results and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! From all of us at Word on the Street Podcast!SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.remedysm.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)

Tommy Earley, long time member of O'Malley (of the Wench Division) stops by. TJ Ferry joins us on the "WOTS Happenin' Hotline" to fill us in on some of his latest creative projects for the 125th Mummers Parade. SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.remedysm.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠)

We got a little bit of everything on this one, folks! This past weekend the Downtowners Fancy Brigade hosted their 10th Annual Jim Julia Memorial Toast and Word on the Street was there to capture it. Former FBA president and Downtowners Captain, Richie Herron Sr., joins in on the WOTS Hotline AND thanks to all of you out in Mum Nation, we get to discuss "How you know you're from a Mummers family"! SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠⁠⁠⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (⁠⁠⁠https://www.remedysm.com/⁠⁠⁠)

Award-winning music arranger, Chris Farr, joins us to talk about his music career both inside and outside of the Mummers Parade. He gives insight into his process, his journey, and what he has in store, gearing up for another parade with Fralinger and South Philadelphia String Bands. SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠⁠⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠⁠⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠⁠⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠⁠⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (⁠⁠https://www.remedysm.com/⁠⁠)

It's time to talk about those themes we all know and love (or hate!). Yes, those classic, never-die Mum themes that every divison just loves to repeat and repeat and repeat...but why?! Let's get into it! This episode is brought to you by Stephie's Caterers & Murphy Ruffenach Brian W. Donnelly Funeral Home! SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (⁠https://www.remedysm.com/⁠)

"Wolfie", Theme and Production Chair for the Fralinger String Band, joins us to talk about his start in the Brigades, his years in the Fancy Mother Clubs, and his work as a mummers costumer!SPONSORS: O'Jung's (⁠https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs⁠)The Mummers Museum (⁠https://www.mummersmuseum.org/⁠)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690REMEDY Sales and Marketing (https://www.remedysm.com/)

Get thinking and play along in the comments! Today we're here to rank our top four greatest non-winning themes of all time from the String Band and Fancy Brigade Divisions specifically! Let the arguing begin! Give us your lists in the comments to hear us discuss your picks on the next episode!SPONSORS: O'Jung's (https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs)The Mummers Museum (https://www.mummersmuseum.org/)Jewelry By Joseph - (267) 815 7690

We caught up with Dennis Quaile to chat about his years between designing shows AND performing in them (for both the Fancy Brigades and the String Bands). He shares his takes on today's parade as well.Comment and answer the Jewelry by Joseph Poll! SPONSORS:O'Jungs (https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs)The Mummers Museum (https://www.mummersmuseum.org/)

Season 2 kicks off with the age old Mum question - Does the parade need changing? We give our takes...but we wanna hear YOURS in the comments. Your thoughts might just be discussed on our next episode! Vote NOW in the Jewelry by Joseph poll for this episode and comment!SPONSORS: O'Jungs (https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs)The Mummers Museum (https://www.mummersmuseum.org/)

Hot off of their latest award win, we stop down to visit the Otto's at O'Jung's - one of the best spots to hit on Mummers Row! Food, drinks, decor - they have it all to offer! If you're looking for something elevated beyond typical "bar food", O'jung's is the spot for you. Check it out! Follow O'Jung's on social media"Family owned since 2001 in the heart of South Philly. Great friends, great drinks, and great food! Look for our new weekly Specials every Monday!"https://ojungs215.wixsite.com/ojungs?fbclid=IwY2xjawK7DUJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZUGk2ZEN1RzkzcDU2b3p1AR4991-tKXoL-hq697zLRkPbPMU7KThCTxm0EXcVq2wBe8k9IdMqLP5RO3YuyA_aem_s3c8c3UBegi9ESGn72zPcA

Opening April 23, 2025 at 7PM at the Mummers Museum! The new exhibits: "From Sheet to Street" and "Ferko in the 50's". Please go check it out and let them know the Word on the Street crew sent ya! Let us know what you thought of the exhibit (after you check it out) in the comments below! What other exhibits would you like to see? Sound off! Mummers Museum: 1100 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147(215) 336-3050https://www.mummersmuseum.org/

Jimmy Good of the Championship Quaker City String Band drops by to talk about their most recent win and what it's like leading the great QCSB! Also, we dig into 2026 theme concepts and line of march for Wenches, Brigades, and String Bands as the 2025 Mum Season approaches its end, with the String Band Serenade just around the corner! Episode Sponsor: https://palandroferryfoundation.org/The Palandro-Ferry Foundation is committed to honoring and memorializing two young Mummers – Dennis Palandro, Jr. and Joseph Ferry – who were members of the South Philadelphia String Band, and Joseph’s fiancé Kelly Wiseley who were tragically killed in a head-on crash in the early hours of January 2, 2019. Ferry’s fiancé, Kelly Wiseley, also lost her life in the accident. The two had just gotten engaged at Christmas.  Palandro’s wife, Nicole, was critically injured in the accident, but survived and has made a full recovery.The mission of the Foundation is to support the family, friends and communities of the Foundation, in their time of need, in memory of Denny, Jr., Joe and Kelly.  The Foundation was initially formed by NJ chef, restauranteur and former Mummer Angelo Lutz.  Lutz has been a very close family friend of Palandro’s father, Dennis Sr. (who is the captain of the South Philadelphia String Band), and knew Dennis Jr. for his entire life.

Billy, Haley, and Mike discuss their takeaways, likes and dislikes from this year's Mummers Parade, touching upon all the divisions and beyond! COMMENT your own takeaways and thoughts to get in on the action! Special Guest Tom Otto (who need YOUR Help!) Visit: https://nkr.donorscreen.org/register/microsite?id=12577&donationType=0 SPONSOR: 5.56 Golf (Tim Luko Jr.) https://www.amazon.com/sp?ie=UTF8&seller=A2X5P3BSOIRKUH&asin=B0DHBPGF4Y&ref_=dp_merchant_link&isAmazonFulfilled=1

After the Run Through show rehearsal night, we sit down for our "Happy New Year" special (the LAST of 2024) to put our judges caps on and rank the Fancy Brigade Division 1st all the way through 10th! You're in for a great show! REMEMBER: comment with your predictions we want to hear YOUR thoughts! Tickets for the show available at: https://fancy-brigade-association.ticketleap.com/2025-fancy-brigade-finale/

We’re getting in the holiday spirit and sharing the wealth with A String Band Christmas Special featuring the Grinch himself, Denny Palandro, Captain of 2024’s 1st prize String Band (South Philly) and up and coming 1st Prize String Band Captain, Kade Radcliffe (Uptown). We also sit down with George Balzer and Chuck Graser Jr. (Woodland), who let us in on their 2025 performance prep, and give us an early Christmas present with a snippet of their sound. SPONSOR: 5.56 Golf South Philly String Band: ⁠⁠https://www.southphillystringband.com/⁠⁠ Uptown String Band: ⁠⁠https://www.uptownstringband.com/⁠⁠ Woodland String Band: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/@wsb1926/⁠⁠ Palandro-Ferry Memorial Foundation: ⁠⁠https://palandroferryfoundation.org/⁠⁠ Morgan Rose Hosbach: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/868570031480208/⁠⁠ BJ's Raw Pet Food & Great Needs Trust: ⁠⁠https://greatneeds.org/donations/⁠⁠

John Baron joins us to discuss his lengthy Mummer career and how being captain (Hegeman - 2002 to 2019), drill director (Greater Kensington - Present), and a basketball head coach have led him to years of success in the parade. Please Support BJ's Raw Pet Food Hurricane Relief Fund TO DONATE: Visit https://greatneeds.org/donations/ BJ's Raw Pet Food is a family-owned farm in Lancaster, PA, dedicated to providing premium, humanely raised raw pet food. Our products are sourced from local farms and crafted with the health and well-being of your furry friends in mind. We offer a variety of balanced, ready-made meals and single-source proteins to cater to different dietary needs. Trust BJ's Raw Pet Food for wholesome, natural nutrition that fuels a happy and healthy pet. Order Online or stop by their storefront in Lancaster, PA! Great Needs Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing immediate relief and long-term solutions to those in dire need. In the wake of the devastating hurricanes that hit Western North Carolina, Great Needs Trust mobilized volunteers to clear debris, build housing, and distribute essential supplies. By supporting local communities and fostering resilience, Great Needs Trust aims to make a lasting impact on those in need.

Butchie drops by to talk about his inspirations, success, and his craziest concepts all while sharing some classic stories with Word on the Street! Episode Sponsor: Murphey Ruffenach Brian W. Donnelly Funeral Home Cremation services · Burial services · Prepayment plans 2239 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 (215)334-1578 Open 24 Hours https://www.brianwdonnellyfuneralhome.com/

In the spirit of "Spooky Season" Billy, Haley, and Mike rank their top 5 spooky/haunted/scary captain suits of all time! Comment below to let us know your picks and why! Episode Sponsor: 2nd Street Gymnastics 2ND STREET GYMNASTIC WAS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2022 BY LOCAL COACH AND GYMNAST, ROBIN YURKOW. WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE SPORT, ROBIN WANTED TO MAKE GYMNASTICS MORE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA OF 2ND STREET IN PHILADELPHIA! 2ND STREET GYMNASTICS OFFERS CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 18 MONTHS THROUGH 10 YEARS OLD WITH HANDS-ON TRAINING ON BARS, BEAM, VAULT, AND INSTRUCTIONAL FLOOR ROUTINE! THE MOST POPULAR CLASS IS THE PARENT/TOT “MOMMY AND ME”! FOLLOW 2ND STREET GYMNASTICS ON INSTAGRAM AT 2ND_STREET_GYMNASTICS

The GOAT, the winningest captain of all time, the man or simply...Bill! Whatever you call him, he's an awesome guy! Fralinger legend Bill Bowen joins Word on the Street! Sponsor: Innovative Catering Concepts Innovative catering concepts has made a generous donation to Mummers Against Cancer sponsoring tonight’s Podcast.  Whether it is an onsite event at their two beautiful ballrooms, a variety of food trucks or an offsite catering party, Innovative does it all.  Check them out when planning your next event.  Always available….Always Innovative. https://www.icccatering.com/

Megan McFarland, part of the New Year's Parade's broadcast team, joins Word on the Street! Episode Sponsor: The Forum. https://www.icccatering.com/

Jason Pakech, captain of Froggy Carr, joins Word on the Street to talk some Wench Brigades! This episode is sponsored by REMEDY Sales and Marketing Consultants, owned by Anthony Stagliano, Jr. In today's fast-paced business world, REMEDY stands out as a beacon of innovation and excellence, led by Anthony J. Stagliano, Jr., who brings over 25 years of experience with a focus on hospitality. More than just a consultancy, REMEDY acts as a strategic ally, deeply understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable growth. Our expertise in the business and hospitality sectors enables us to provide tailored, innovative solutions that drive success, ensuring our clients survive and thrive in their industries. https://www.remedysm.com/

Mike, Bill, and Haley discuss String Band and Brigade line of march, themes, and top 5 predictions.