Celebrate Israel Parade 2018: Route, Times, Traffic Changes

MIDTOWN, NY – A celebration of Israel will fill Fifth Avenue Sunday as the world's largest annual gathering in support of the nation is held.

Celebrate Israel NY will this year honor the country’s 70th birthday with the theme “70 and Sababa”-- roughly translated to “70 and Awesome.” The parade, which held its inaugural event in 1965, will highlight all of the developments that the New Jersey-sized country has made in the short time it has existed.

The parade itself will commence at 11 am and will last about five hours, spanning from 57th to 74th street. It will be followed by a concert in Central Park, with kosher food trucks stationed around the park. The Empire State Building will be lit blue and white as the sun goes down.

This year’s event will feature Israeli singer Ninet Tayeb, famous Israeli chef Eyal Shani, a number of marching bands and musical groups, as well as floats from various interfaith and multicultural groups. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers will watch as 40,000 marchers parade down Fifth Avenue.

Every marching group and float committee works with parade organizers to make sure their display combines the event’s overall theme with their organization’s own unique twist. Construction and creative efforts begin up to a year in advance of the parade itself.

The parade will go on rain or shine. For those who cannot attend but want to partake in the celebration, it will be broadcast on FOX MY9 and live-streamed on the event's website from 12 to 3PM.

Image credit: Stephanie Keith/Getty Image