New York’s Fifth Avenue was a sea of white and blue for the Israel Day Parade.

More than 30,000 marchers and 17 bands walked Sunday with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the city’s mayoral candidates — including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former congressman Anthony Weiner.

This year’s theme was “Picture Israel,” with marchers carrying paintings, collages, and tapestries to show the diversity of Israel and its people.

In the evening, the Empire State Building will beam the Israeli colors to celebrate the 1948 creation of the Jewish state.

Also later Sunday, Israel’s national soccer team is scheduled to play the team from Honduras in Queens.

Security was tight along Fifth Avenue. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly watched over the lineup and helicopters hovered overhead.

(AP)