On Feb. 27, bums invaded the Coplay Saengerbund, 205 S. Fifth St. Looking past the tattered clothing, torn hats, unshaved men and unkempt women, one soon realized the invasion was, in fact, a celebration called the Lumpenball.

The Lumpenball was begun in 1872 and hosted by Karl Schwender in Germany and occurs each year around Fasching. Fasching is the German version of Mardi Gras or Karnival. The Lumpenball is referred to as the Bums Ball because patrons are asked to wear old, patched clothing and frayed hats.

The Lumpenball is coined as “the last blast before the fast (Lent).” The Lumpenball occurs just before Ash Wednesday, the start of the 46-day Lenten season.

Lumpen is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “of or related to dispossessed and uprooted individuals cut off from the economic and social class with which they might normally be identified.”

The Feb. 27 event was sponsored by the active heritage committee of the Coplay Saengerbund. There were prizes awarded to attendees who dressed in the spirit of the event.

The Emil Schanta Band entertained patrons with polkas, other German songs and some contemporary music. A full house of patrons danced, ate, drank and had fun before the start of the Lenten season. The social hall was buzzing with excitement.

Before the bums departed, the heritage committee was already discussing the next event. It is a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration, scheduled for 3-6 p.m. March 13 in the Saengerbund social hall. This celebration has John and Marie providing music. Also, there will be a visit from traditional Irish dancers from the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance.

All are invited to the next event for a fun afternoon celebrating the luck of the Irish. You can dress anyway you desire, no bum attire required - though there is a request that attendees wear something green.