HOLIDAYS

Jewish ardi Gras

The Purim parade
in Oak Park
brought out the
clowns and fire
engines, as well as
the Esthers and
Mordecais.

IF

AMY J. MEHLER

Staff Writer

orget their long,
curling locks —
payot. Forget their
stern, no-nonsense
black hats. Put
aside those tall, fur-rimmed
shtriemels and heavy, knee-
length overcoats.
Underneath, Chasidim are
a bunch of wild and crazy
guys.
The debut of the Chasidic
Drill Team in last week's
first-ever Oak Park Purim
Parade, was the most talked
about attraction.
Led by Dr. Jeffrey Last,
psychologist turned Chasidic
drill sergeant, this merry
band of marching men danc-
ed, pranced and stamped
their way across the Oak
Park parade route.
Not missing a beat, they
even davened Minchah, daily
afternoon prayers, while en
route.
"These men are having the
time of their lives, acting
their children's ages," joked
Oak Park resident Joy Gar-
din. Her husband, Hershel,
strutted up and down the
street in a Ronald Reagan
costume, waving at the people
and babies on the sidelines.
The parade, brainchild of
caterer Paul Kohn and at-
torney Steve Cohen, started
at 2:30 p.m. March 19 in the
parking lot behind Lincoln
Center. It headed down Lin-
coln Road, Briar Road,
Church and 10 Mile roads, en-
ding up about 3:30 p.m.

50

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992

(

Clockwise, from top: Estie Groundland, age 2, seems a bit apprehensive about her
father, Asher, the clown. Peter Cooper as Hey Man the Clown with friend Sniff the
Snake and David Sloan as Scribbles. David Hojda walks with son Elchonon, 4, a
traditional Mordecai.