AS FAR AS I KNOW, the Froggy Carr New Years Brigade is the only group in the Mummers Parade with its own police escort. That's escort, not honor guard. In fact, this was the first year that the four helmeted Highway Patrol officers on motorcycles that are assigned to make sure the Frogs arrive at City Hall more or less on time rode behind the wench brigade rather than in front. That way the brigade couldn't take a sudden left behind the cops and leave the police playing catch-the-Frogs.
This was the scene on Second Street yesterday morning as the Frogs started their march at 2d and Dickenson. By the time the 650 dress-wearing wenches arrived at City Hall (late, of course, much to the chagrin, but not surprise, of the Channel 17 Broadcasters.) there were 19 Philadelphia bicycle cops lining the front of the broadcasters booth to prevent the Frogs from simply overwhelming the cameras. The ancient Greeks had a word for such a running charge at the enemy. I think it was "ribbit."
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