Howard County Jews Get their Shushan On

Ryan Ebert, 2, dressed as a dragon and wearing a fire fighter's hat, enjoys the festivities. (Photo by Ed Bunyan)

It was a day that would’ve made the radiant and heroic Queen Esther — and maybe even her ill-fated predecessor, Vashti — smile.

More than 500 religious school students and their families from various Howard County Jewish educational programs attended the 26th annual Purim Palooza & Kids Activity Expo on Feb. 25 at Long Reach High School in Columbia.

Presented by the Jewish Federation of Howard County, the gathering also attracted 25 preschool students with their caregivers for the PJ Library story-hour and pre-Palooza event.

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The carnival featured games and activities, photo novelties, airbrush hats and shirts, face painting, DJ Doug’s “Simon Says,” prizes, and holiday food such as hamantaschen. Proceeds raised by the event support Howard County synagogues and religious school programming.

In addition to the carnival, two adult education classrooms were offered at the expo, giving parents and volunteers an opportunity to learn more about the Festival of Lots, which begins at sundown on Feb. 28 and ends at sundown on March 1.

Happy Purim!

Photos by Ed Bunyan

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