In 1964, thousands walked down Riverside Drive in support of the young State of Israel. This impromptu walk evolved into the Salute to Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue.

Celebrate Israel Parade
In 2011 the name of the Parade was changed to focus on celebrating the vibrant and diverse country of Israel. The Parade features over 30,000 marchers from many organizations.  Hundreds of thousands enthusiastic spectators watch American and Israeli community leaders and dignitaries, entertainers, artists, musicians, dancers, celebrities, floats and marching bands.

Creative Themes
For our Marching Groups, Cluster Groups and Floats, the Parade is a culmination of a year-long Israel education effort using a creative theme. Each Group or Float works with the Parade staff to develop a creative presentation with colorful banners, costumes and props in a show of unity and pageantry.

2013 Theme — Picture Israel; The Art & the Craft
Participants will bring to Fifth Avenue illustrations, paintings, collages, tapestries to show the diversity of Israel and its people, the land/sea/city-scapes, accomplishments, etc.

2012 — Israel Branches Out…
Participants learned about Israel as it relates to: flowers, blossoming, being fruitful, growing, going out on a limb, branching out into (hi-tech), stem-ming the tide of …., trees, plants, agricultural models, finding our roots, seeds and they brought a Garden of Delight to Fifth Avenue!