Southeast Texas Mardi Gras - Port Arthur, Texas

The Woodland String Band was established in February 1926 and has competed in the annual Philadelphia Mummers Parade every year since January 1st, 1927. Woodland originated in the Southwest section of Philadelphia and moved to its current location on "Two Street" in the heart of "Mummers Row" in July of 1990. Woodland is a charter member of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association and the year 2006 marks the band's 80th consecutive year in existence, one of the longest among Philadelphia's string bands. The band performs a unique brand of Philly style entertainment that includes music comprised of instruments from the reed, string and percussion instruments combined with the wearing of colorful fancy costumes, consistent with each year's new theme. The members of Woodland pride themselves on being a family organization, currently including seventeen father and son combinations, one of which includes three generations.