‘Spit Spreads Death’ parade: March through Philadelphia in the Mutter Museum’s remembrance of the 101-year-old flu epidemic

One hundred and one years ago from Saturday, a war-bond parade brought 200,000 happy people to Philadelphia.

In the weeks after, Philadelphians were dying at an alarmingly high rate.

The 1918-19 influenza pandemic swept through the city, killing over 20,000 Philadelphians in total. Those victims are finally being honored in an interactive parade on Saturday, Sept. 28, as part of the Mutter Museum’s examination the pandemic.

The “Spit Spreads Death” parade is an interactive parade that anyone can participate in. Start with the parade at Marconi Plaza or join in at any place along the route. The parade itself kicks off the events surrounding the Mutter’s exhibit of the same name, which opens Oct. 17.

Here’s what you should know ahead of the parade.

How did this flu even begin?

The deaths began in August of 1918, but weren’t really noticeable statistically for a couple of weeks. By September, there was an uptick in fatalities, and savvy doctors knew that the city had been infected by a deadly influenza virus.

» READ MORE: 5 questions: How the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic changed the nursing profession

By October the devastation was palpable. On one day, Oct. 12, 800 citizens died of the flu, the most fatalities in a single day of the epidemic, and for the next six weeks, one Philadelphian died of the flu every five minutes. By the time the contagion evaporated in March (no one knows why), it had claimed 20,000 lives.

The disease probably entered the city with already-infected sailors at the Navy Yard, and it has long been thought that it received a major boost from a massive war-bond parade on Sept. 28, 1918. While there is a noticeable spike in the number of flu deaths after that date, it is difficult to attribute them directly to the massive turnout.

Parade-goers are actively encouraged participate in the parade. Those who wish to participate can sign up at SpitSpreadsDeath.com. While there, select a victim that died as a result of the influenza pandemic to represent in the parade (registration will also be available onsite).

» READ MORE: More than 12,000 Philadelphians died in the flu pandemic of 1918. My aunt was one of them

If you stumble upon the parade as you’re passing by or can’t march for the whole route, that’s OK, too. Hop in whenever and wherever you can. Any participation is encouraged, even if you can only march for 10 or 15 minutes.

Charge up your phone before you arrive. Phones are a crucial part of the parade. If you have one, bring a portable charger with you as well.

Participants and parade-watchers can dress in their regular clothes. Any nurses, doctors, or other health-care professionals are encouraged to participate in their uniforms.

As participants march up Broad Street, they will carry their cellphones while playing an original score composed by Oscar-nominated David Lang and sung by the Philadelphia choir the Crossing. The score includes a list of names of victims who died on Oct. 12, 1918, the deadliest day of the pandemic.

Marchers who are representing a victim will play the song from their cellphones. As the name of a victim is called, the participant will pause and raise the victim’s name in the air, as two illuminated floats pass by.

The parade will be filmed by Blast Theory to create a short film that will be shown at the exhibit.

» READ MORE: The Philly vaccine pioneer who saved thousands from flu, and predicted the next pandemic

Five hundred people are estimated to march including relatives of the flu victims, health-care workers, and members of the general public.

The parade is a rain-or-shine event on Saturday. The event will begin at dusk, so dress appropriately for the weather and keep an eye on the skies.

The event will begin at the east side of Marconi Plaza at Broad and Oregon, which can easily be reached via the Oregon Station off SEPTA’s Broad Street Line. Registration, if you didn’t sign up online ahead of time, begins at 5 p.m. Here, you will collect a commemorative object to represent the flu victim you represent.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. Participants will head north on Broad Street. Organizers suggest you arrive early because the route will become darker as night approaches.

The parade will then travel up Broad Street, ending at Dilwork Park in front of City Hall around 8 p.m. with a festivals that includes food, drinks, and health resources from community groups.

Free flu shots will also be available.

We don’t want to have a repeat of the aftermath of the 1918 Liberty Loans Parade. Although modern medicine has advanced since then, you’re still encouraged to practice proper hygiene in public.

If you’re feeling under the weather the day of the parade, it’s best if you stay home and get some rest instead.