About Us: Fralinger Fact Sheet

In 2008, the band won its sixth consecutive first prize in the New Year’s Day parade with the theme “Grab Your Partner, Swing Them ‘Round, Fralinger is Westward Bound!”. This is a dynamic, free-wheeling and boisterous production celebrating the life of America’s romantic hero – the Cowboy. Fralinger is renowned throughout the world for their unique musical and performance style.

• Most consistent top prize winner over the last 40 years:
  • Won first, second or third prize in 30 of the last 40 New Years’ Day parades
  • 14 First Prizes overall
  • Bill Bowen Jr. is this year’s First Prize Captain, finishing in the top five in 25 out of his 26 years as Captain. By winning ten First Prizes, Bill is the most successful String Band Captain ever!
• Organized on December 18, 1914 by Dr. John J. Fralinger, M.D., a Philadelphia physician, pharmacist and also the team doctor for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics. WE ARE NINETY-FOUR YEARS PROUD!
• Reorganized in 1974 as a nonprofit organization governed completely by the membership
• A progressive Mummers String Band organization:
  • First string band to vocalize
  • First String Band to emulate brass instrument sounds with reed instruments (1971)
  • First String Band to feature the Big Band sound (1972) and Dixieland Jazz (1973)
  • First String Band to receive Philadelphia Mayor’s Achievement Award (1975)
  • Herb Smith (Music Director Emeritus), Mike Rayer (Presentation Director), and Bill Bowen Jr. (Captain) – all members of elite Mummers’ Hall of Fame
• Significant engagements:
  • Hong Kong International Chinese New Year Parade (2007)
  • Walt Disney World SpectroMagic^® Parade (2007)
  • Mardi Gras – New Orleans, LA
  • Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell Inaugural Parade – Harrisburg, PA (2003)
  • Miss America Pageant Parade – Atlantic City, NJ
  • Pearl Harbor Memorial Concert – Honolulu, HI (1997)
  • Baseball Hall of Fame Parade – Cooperstown, NY
  • Selected for “America’s Bicentennial Celebration” television special (1976)
  • Appeared in Brian De Palma’s movie, "Blow Out" (1981)
  • Appeared in Philadelphia Constitution Bicentennial Parade (1987)
  • Appeared at Disney’s New York premiers of “Pocahontas” (1995) and “Hercules” (1997)
  • Dick Clark’s “Freedom Festival” television special (1989)
  • Official Philadelphia Phillies "Whiz Kids" pep band since 1990