Some 'Count Every Vote' protests in Philadelphia became dance parties featuring Gritty

"Count Every Vote" protesters in front of the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia were largely optimistic Friday.

The vote count in Philadelphia could be a key factor in determining whether Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the state. Residents had staged protests since Election Day due to ongoing turmoil over vote-counting.

Some residents in the City of Brotherly Love, however, took a different approach to protests, one that has lasted well into Friday. 

CBC News reporter Steven D’Souza noted on Twitter that despite pro-Trump protesters waiting in the wings, "the party" was already in full swing on Friday.

On Thursday,  some “Count Every Vote” protests held since Election Day shifted considerably in tone — turning from stern, sometimes dangerous situations into dance parties.

"This energy is coming from hope," Rowena Dabney, one business owner, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The scenes have gone viral, in large part, due to the vibrancy of the public displays and its participants.

Some of those participants include beloved city figures, including "Sesame Street" character Elmo and Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty — or at least knockoff versions of the beloved red and orange fluffballs. Gritty was seen dancing to house music, while a dancing mailbox took to the streets to shake it out to Missy Elliott.

In West Philadelphia, as the news broke that Pennsylvania had shifted blue, a smaller, but just as celebratory dance party took place in front of residents' homes.

See more footage from Philadelphia below.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Some 'Count Every Vote' protests in Philadelphia become dance parties