Hundreds of Clowns Line Peruvian Streets for Parade

By IE Staff

Updated: 1:08 PM PDT, May 26, 2019

It was all in an effort to celebrate Jose Alvarez Velez, who was popularly known as Tony Perejil, or Clown of the Poor.

In Peru, it's a payaso party.

Hundreds of kinds of professional and amateur clowns marched down the streets of central Lima, to celebrate “Dia Del Payaso,” which translates to "Day of the Clown."

According to APTN, it was all in an effort to celebrate Jose Alvarez Velez, who was popularly known as Tony Perejil, or clown of the poor.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he'd set up shop underneath a colorful tent in the shantytowns of Lima and spread joy to residents there.

He reportedly donated what little money he had to charity. Although he spent so much time making people smile, he died alone in a hospital on May 25, 1987.

Since 2006, enthusiasts have been turning up for the annual celebration.

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It was all in an effort to celebrate Jose Alvarez Velez, who was popularly known as Tony Perejil, or Clown of the Poor.

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Hundreds of Clowns Line Peruvian Streets for Parade

Hundreds of Clowns Crowd Peru’s Streets for “Dia Del Payaso”

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It was all in an effort to celebrate Jose Alvarez Velez, who was popularly known as Tony Perejil, or Clown of the Poor.

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