Camden County's Mummers-Inspired Parade Will March On Rain Or Shine

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — It could very well rain on Camden County's String Band Parade. But the Mummers-inspired show will go on this Saturday, rain on shine.

The String Band Parade kicks off at 2 p.m., starting at Haddonfield's Euclid Avenue. Fifteen string bands will perform down Haddon Avenue until they reach Haddon Square in Haddon Township. Thereafter, performers will continue playing outside sponsored establishments throughout the township.

Camden County's event is effectively an offshoot of the Mummers Parade — Philadelphia's massive New Year's Day tradition. County officials and the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association intend to turn the new parade into an annual gathering.

"We are thrilled to bring the magic of the Philadelphia Mummers over the bridge to Camden County for an exciting event that will not only stimulate our local economy but will provide some fun for our residents and their families," said County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr.

PATCO and other forms of public transportation will help everyone travel safely to and from the parade, Cappelli added.

The parade was originally scheduled for April 29, but officials postponed the event until fall because of rain in the forecast. Saturday's make-up gathering, however, will take place rain or shine.

Friday rains will likely linger into Saturday, with the Haddon Township area's gusts reaching up to 30 mph on parade day, according to weather officials. But the National Weather Service doesn't anticipate any local thunderstorms after early Saturday morning.

Here's the National Weather Service's latest forecast for Haddon Township:

• Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Breezy.