Hagerstown Magazine - The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond

September/October 2006
Everybody Loves a Parade: Alsatia Mummers Parade
Community Spirit Flourishes with the Annual Alsatia Mummers Procession.

by Emily Dolly + current photos by Lew Kline

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From its early beginnings as a deterrent for Halloween prank-pulling to its present incarnation as the largest nighttime parade on the East Coast, one thing about the Alsatia Mummers Parade has remained the same: now, as ever, the parade is inextricably linked to the spirit of the Washington County community. Since 1921, the annual event has drawn together vast crowds — sometimes upwards of 100,000 spectators — to witness a spectacular procession of floats, performers and mummers (people in costume), in a celebration of merry-making and creativity. And the community and the parade continue to evolve together.

During Hagerstown’s industrial heyday, the event hosted scores of elaborate floats, sponsored by large and influential employers like Fairchild Aircraft. In the mid-20th century, the Potomac Street parade route glowed with the light of neon signs advertising downtown businesses, including Sears & Roebuck, Hotel Alexander and the Academy Theater. As the city has transformed over the years, the parade has, too, experiencing both boosts and lulls during its long lifetime. And, according to Alsatia Club President and Parade Chairman James “Jim” McCleaf II, this transformation is in keeping with the character of the event. “The parade changes every year. You never know what surprises are going to turn up.”

Currently, a series of downtown Hagerstown building renovations, grand openings and nighttime attractions — including extended hours at local restaurants on parade night — are bringing renewed interest to the heart of the city and its happenings. And Hagerstown’s downtown renaissance bodes well for the parade’s future. “It’s on the upswing,” acknowledges Marvin House, a member of the Alsatia Club for 32 years and general formation chairman in 2006.

Jim agrees. “I see the parade evolving to be not just an Alsatia Club event, but a true community event,” he says. “More and more service clubs have been joining in. And more and more businesses have been chipping in financially.” As costs have risen and Alsatia Club membership has declined, this kind of outside support has become vital to the parade’s continuance. Thanks to a tremendous collaborative effort from government offices, nonprofit organizations, businesses, churches, schools and individuals, the parade remains a success, year after year. As Jim says, “It’s all about community helping community and people helping people.” [good pull quote]

The parade also is part of a longstanding McCleaf family tradition. “My dad and uncle were members of the Alsatia Club. They would drag me along as a kid to help with the parade,” Jim jokes. He also marched in the parade with the Springfield Middle School band. “We’d practice and practice and work so hard,” he recalls. “And then we’d get out there under those lights, with the bleachers filled with thousands of people. And when we finally played, it was just like a slow motion movie. It was great!”

Marvin, too, looks back on his time spent marching with the Boonsboro High School and Rohrersville Community bands with a smile. “That’s the great thing about this event,” Jim observes. “Everybody that lives in Washington County has either marched in the parade or knows somebody that has marched in the parade.” Thousands of out-of-towners also glory in the occasion, and one-time residents often make it a point to return to Washington County for the annual celebration. “For many people, the event is not just a parade but a homecoming,” Jim says.

Annually the Alsatia Club helps to provide spectators with a magnificent display of costumed mummers, ornate floats and live performances, in addition to appearances by dignitaries and celebrities. But James has made it his personal goal to bring the joys of first-hand participation to the next generation of community members. “That’s what it’s all about,” he proclaims. “Participating in something like this is an experience every young kid should have. If we can give even a handful of kids that experience, then all of the hard work is worth it.”

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82nd Annual Alsatia Mummers Parade
When: Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., rain or shine; lasts approximately three hours
Where: From the 600 block of North Potomac Street to the 600 block of South Potomac Street in Hagerstown

Tickets: Purchase tickets from The Maryland Theatre box office: $10, chairs along the parade route; $5, bleacher seats at Bester Elementary School; anyone can stand and watch the parade at no charge.

To participate: Mummer registration begins Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. at Bill’s Other Yard Sale, located at 672 Oak Hill Ave. in Hagerstown. Mummers must be costumed!
For more information: Contact the Alsatia Club at 301-739-2044.