FUNKSTOWN, Md. — So what do people who love a parade do after the parade? They take a victory lap and have a party, of course. That’s what the Alsatia Club of Hagerstown did on Saturday night, Nov. 7, at the Funkstown American Legion.
The parade was the 99th Annual Mummers Day Parade held on Oct. 31 in downtown Hagerstown. With over 170 participants and 90 floats, the event qualifies as one of the largest night parades on the East Coast. This evening was about organizers and award winners gathering to honor both.
“Our club is over 100 years old,” said President Kevin Richards, a second-generation member with obvious pride in what they do. “With over 100 members, we’re a family-oriented club that supports the community in many ways. We get 20-25 members volunteer for most things we do.”
Richards was followed by third generation club member and daughter Kayla who ran the club’s social media outreach this year.
“We have 138 people here tonight,” said club Vice President Sharon Bell who would later offer thanks to the club board and officers, grand marshals and sponsors. “Until two years ago, we always got together for a smaller gathering. This is only the second time we’ve done this kind of gathering.”
As the crowd gathered, many huddled to share stories about the previous Saturday.
After introductory comments, an invocation by past president and 30-year member Russell Neff, and a buffet meal, the program shifted to parade awards. This opened with special recognition for Parade Chairman James McCleaf, and for Brooke’s House and their excellent work in the community.
2026 Parade Trophy Winners
- Senior Color Guards Category
- First place trophy was awarded to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
- Second place trophy to the Hagerstown Police Honor Guard
- For Junior/Senior Color Guards, the First Place Trophy went to the Silver Starlettes Majorettes and Color Guard
- In the Dance Category
- First place trophy went to On Stage Performance
- Second place went to the Platinum Cheer Rockstars
- For Festive Dance, first place was awarded to Fraternidad Folklorica San Simon
- The Schools in Special Dress trophy went to the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
- The top prize for Cheer went to
- The North Hagerstown Hubs Cheerleaders.
- Second place went to Platinum Cheer Rockstars
The club also awarded nearly $15,000 to Parade Prize Money Winners
- For the Mummers Facebook People’s Choice awards
- First place and $500 went to Mount Rushmore and Statue of Liberty
- In the Walking Group category
- First place and $500 was awarded to Breast Cancer Awareness
- Second place and $250 to 4 Star Athletic Complex
- Third place and $125 went to Washington County Goes Purple
- Fourth place and $75 was for the Hagerstown Area Soccer League
- In the Float Division, non-School Floats
- First place and $1,500 for Clear Spring District Historical Association Plum Grove by Candlelight
- Second place and $1,000 was awarded to Samuel Vance Rising Country Music Artist
- Third place and $500 went to the DAT Ghostbuster Float
- In the Float Division, Commercial Floats Category
- First place and $2,000 was for Mayes Septic & Port a Pots LLCSecond place and $1,250 awarded to the Free Range Cafe
- Third place and $750 went to Studio 214
- For the Band Division, Middle School
- First Place and $1,000 for Northern Middle SchoolSecond Place and $750 for Smithsburg Middle School
- Third Place and $500 for E. Russell Hicks Middle School
- In the Band Division, awards for Junior/Senior High Schools went to
- First place and $1000 for Southern Fulton Junior/Senior High School
- Second place and $750 to Hancock Middle/High School
- Band Division, High School Category
- First place and $1,500 was for Martinsburg High SchoolSecond Place and $1,000 went to North Hagerstown High School
- Third Place and $500 was awarded to Seneca Valley High School
The evening ended with many thanks to all who participated and helped organize and implement the parade this year, and with a call to everyone for next year’s 100th Hagerstown Mummers Day Parade on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2027.
