Aqua String Band
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The all-volunteer Aqua String Band (see String band) was chartered to participate in the annual Philadelphia Mummers' New Year's Parade (Mummers parade). Organized on April 2, 1920 by Elmer W Leyrer and Fred J Kesel, Sr, Aqua was incorporated into the String Band Association in 1945. The Aqua String Band is credited with introducing the glockenspiel into the Mummers' Parade.
The name of Aqua reflects the time of their origin. Latin for the word "water," Aqua was chosen because at the time the controversy over Prohibition was raging. The band has never missed a New Year's Day Parade.
Known for presenting original and obscure themes for competition,[citation needed] Aqua holds the record for the highest points ever scored on New Year's Day with a 99.9 from their First Place finish in 1960.[citation needed]
The band travels extensively up and down the East Coast, and since 1994, has taken part in the second largest St Patrick's Day Parade in the country in Holyoke, Massachusetts. In 1998, Aqua traveled to Germany and appeared in numerous Fasching/Carnival parades and celebrations throughout the country.
