52 Weeks of Firsts' Firstival

The Firstival is at the Philadelphia Film Society Center on Saturday, October 24, from 11 AM to 1 PM. It's one of the stops in 52 Weeks of Firsts, a year-long series by the Philadelphia Historic District that looks at the marvels, inventions, and events that first happened right here in the city.

This particular session focuses on the Mummers Parade, one of Philadelphia's oldest traditions. It's billed as America's oldest folk parade, and while the New Year's Day procession we know today started in 1901, Philadelphia mummery goes back much further—as far as 1640. It started with the 'Second-Day Christmas' celebrations brought over by Swedish immigrants, and over the centuries it gathered layers from English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and German cultures. That's a lot of history for one parade.

There's also an art side to the whole thing. For every Firstival, the organizers commission a #1 sculpture, designed and hand-painted by local artists through Mural Arts. By the end of the year, 52 of these pieces will be placed around the city, one for each occasion.

The Firstival runs from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Philadelphia Film Society Center, 1412 Chestnut Street.