The Aqua String Band is an all-volunteer String band founded with the intent of participating in the annual Philadelphia Mummers Parade

Mummers Parade

The Mummers Parade is held each New Year's Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Local clubs compete in one of four categories . They prepare elaborate costumes and moveable scenery, which take months to complete...

. The Band was organized on April 2, 1920 by Elmer W. Leyrer and Fred J. Kesel, Sr. and incorporated into the String Band Association in 1945. Kesel introduced the glockenspeil (bells) to string bands, which has now become a signature and defining sound.

The name “Aqua” is a reflection on the life and times of the United States during the Band's birth. Latin for the word water, "Aqua" was chosen as an ironic reference to the then raging controversy over Prohibition

Prohibition

Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...

.

The band has never missed a Mummers' Parade since the time they first stepped onto "The Street

Broad Street (Philadelphia)

Broad Street is a major arterial street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is nearly 13 miles long.It is Pennsylvania Route 611 along its entire length with the exception of its northernmost part between Old York Road and Pennsylvania Route 309 and the southernmost part south of Interstate 95...

". Aqua holds the record for the highest points ever scored in the New Year's Day Parade with a 99.9 from their First Place finish in 1960.

The Band travels extensively throughout the country entertaining millions of viewers, parade goers, and concert attendees. In addition to Philadelphia area parades, private events and concerts, other notable performances include participating in the second largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the country in Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range of mountains. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 39,880...

, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade takes place every year in Coney Island, New York in mid-to-late June. The Parade is a lively and welcoming ocean-themed event open to everyone....

, the Baltimore

Baltimore

Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...

's Mayor's Christmas Parade, and both Pittsburgh's and East Longmeadow, Massachusetts’ 4 July Parades. The Band has even traveled to Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

 and appeared in numerous Fasching/Carnival

Carnival

Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...

parades and celebrations throughout the country.

External links

• Aqua String Band