Sunday, April 28, 10:00 AM: The world’s greatest Jewish children’s event

whynot_31 said:

I have learned that origins of Lag Baomer seem to be varied.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lag_BaOmer

...it has apparently evolved into a children's parade among the Lubavitch. It may be related to this aspect:

First haircut for children

It is customary at the Meron celebrations, dating from the time of Rabbi Isaac Luria, that three-year-old boys be given their first haircuts (upsherin), while their parents distribute wine and sweets. Similar upsherin celebrations are simultaneously held in Jerusalem at the grave of Shimon Hatzaddik for Jerusalemites who cannot travel to Meron.[16]

Do we have any readers that actually know?

It'd have to be someone who is knowledgeable about Orthodox Jewish tradition and/or additionally Chabad tradition. I don't think it's that likely to have someone like that in the midst.

Bonafide, card carrying member of the Lubavitch community here

The Lag B'omer Parade is held on Eastern Parkway whenever the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer falls out on Sunday. (it's an obscure holiday that commemorates the death of Roman Empire-era mystic as well the ending of an epidemic around the same time that killed many Jewish leaders and scholars.) The traditional celebrations for this holiday involved "outdoorsy" things like making bonfires, having archery contests (seriously! this is a real tradition! I have no idea why!) Around 25-30 years ago (maybe more), the Chabad-Lubavitch community, expanded this into a more general celebration of Jewish pride and spirit focusing on children. More recently (in the last 3-4 years or so) this tradition was revived and made flashier, with Orthodox entertainers, professional concessions, etc.