Maybe for a moment your senses have been "taken" by the rythmical music, the inventive multicoloured and coordinated work around the parade, or the gathering of sooo many people rushing into a frenetic excitement, all at the same time and tempo.
I can’t say I have experienced that - no doubt that there is unity in being part of a large group singing and dancing together. Kinda like being at a great sports game and being part of a really large crowd (from what I’ve witnessed, sport is a religion for some). Unfortunately, as you’ve said these celebrations get degraded by alcohol & drugs. I think it’s a symptom of our contemporary society. In the past, these festivities were likely embedded within a deeper spiritual context (& one which the participants were aware of). Contrast that to now, where it’s just an excuse to cavort about (almost naked in some cases) & get drunk. The emphasis now is more on the physical/commercial attributes of what was once something that held greater spiritual significance.