Purim Parade in the 1920s

The long history of the Purim carnival passes through Europe and throughout the Diaspora, where the carnivals were a colorful break from the daily grind.

On Purim, the streets of Jewish areas were filled with people parading back and forth. Some places held Purim fairs; in others, the people rushing between the houses created a fluctuating parade.

In modern times, the city of Tel Aviv, in Israel, has hosted massive Purim carnivals

Tel Aviv Adloyada Festival

called the " Adloyada" for the phrase ". . .and you should drink until you don't know (ad lo yada) the difference between 'Cursed in Haman, Blessed is Mordechai.'"

The Adloyada featured a huge parade with floats, marching bands and costumed children. Today, the Adloyada is not held regularly, but Tel Aviv's Dyzengoff street is full of costumed people spraying each other with silly string and worse, and knocking each other on the head with plastic mallets. (Doesn't sound fun?? You must not be a teenager!)