Since 1999, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP) has hosted many free and open-to-the-public Anti-Superstition Parties. The party is always held on a Friday-the-Thirteenth.

On Friday, October 13, 2006 volunteers will gather at the Philadelphia Ethical Society Building to transform a 40’ X 42’ room into a Friggatriskaidekaphobia (Fear of Friday-the-Thirteenth) Treatment Center (FTC).

FTC was the result of many brainstorming sessions between FSGP president Margaret Downey and her personal assistant, Natasha Mikles.  The party attractions were also re-thought and resulted in the creation of a new character:
The Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Nurse.  Downey designed the nurse's outfit which includes an old-fashioned nurse’s hat and special uniform insignia.

FTC is a big hit with party attendees.  As the Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Nurse, Downey greets each guest and make them feel comfortable breaking superstitions within the party atmosphere.  The room is decorated with a variety of displays highlighting common and not-so-common superstitions.  Costumed volunteers are stationed at tables, welcoming guests and signing up to participate in anti-superstition games.

Party guests will also be entertained by a disk jockey who will play songs related to superstitions until 11:00 PM.  The disk jockey will get everyone up and dancing when he announces that everyone should open their umbrellas and dance to the Weather Girls song, "It’s Raining Men."

"Stormy Weather" will be played for couples who want to slow dance under one umbrella.  Both songs will inspire party guests to hit the dance floor to participate in breaking the superstition of opening an umbrella inside.

The disk jockey will be the first to limbo under a ladder.  Dancers are welcome to ventured under the ladder over and over again challenging all notions of bad luck.

The first organized game will be conducted at 9:00 PM.  A name will be drawn from a bag.  One lucky person will get to "Fracture the Fairy" piñata.  Flower foil-covered chocolates will be released from the crushed piñata.

At 9:30 PM, another name will be from an Irish plaid bag.  People will be asked to level the Leprechauns in a humorous bowling game consisting of wooden Leprechauns as the pins.

At 10:00 PM, one lucky guest is selected to break a large, framed mirror.  The mirror will be smashed as the Annie Lenox song "Walking on Broken Glass" plays in the background.

Previous Parties & Pictures

January 3, 2005

August 13, 2004

Want to host your own party? The Freethought Society can help!  Just print and fill out this order form for supplies.