To Celebrate 60th, Israel Festival to Rock Into Evening

To Celebrate 60th, Israel Festival to Rock Into Evening

-Gov. Schwarzenegger, Mayor Villaraigosa to Participate in Official Ceremony-

VAN NUYS, Calif., May 16 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will lead an impressive list of who's who among local, national and international dignitaries participating in the official ceremony to mark Israel's 60th birthday at the Israel Independence Day Festival at Van Nuys' Woodley Park Sunday, May 18th.

This year, in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary as an independent country, Festival goers can expect to rock well into the evening hours with musical headliners Israeli superstar Shlomi Shabat and hip-hop sensation Subliminal & The Tact Family. It will be an Israel Festival unlike others in recent years as Jews across Los Angeles come together in celebration of perhaps the single most important milestone in modern Jewish history.

Other officials participating in the Festivities include Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; City Councilmembers Jack Weiss, Dennis Zine and Wendy Greuel; Sheriff Lee Baca, Congressman Brad Sherman; and Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Jacob Dayan. Israeli-American entrepreneur Beny Alagem will be presented by Governor Schwarzenegger with the "Cherished Friend of the Israeli and Jewish Community of Los Angeles" Award.

Yoram Gutman of the Israel Independence Day Festival Committee notes that this year's celebration will certainly not be a feast for the ears only. In addition to the musical acts, the Festival will kick off with the LA Country Sheriff's Department Golden Stars Skydiving Team as it arrives, in-style, to delight throngs of Festival-goers while parachuting into the crowd.

Additionally, visitors to the highly secured Festival will indulge in a variety of kosher and ethnic foods and enjoy many other attractions, including carnival rides, a fashion show, petting zoo, the Israeli marketplace, and Cafe Tel Aviv, a rest area created with an authentic Israeli "look and feel." New this year, Festival revelers will participate in Walk the Land of Israel, visiting 15 distinct Israeli "destinations" and receiving a passport stamp at each location redeemable for a prize.

Visitors who stop by The Jewish Federation booth at the Festival, may videotape a message of support for the beleaguered citizens of Sderot, to be delivered later this year. The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance is a sponsor of the Festival.

Hours are from 10 am to 10 pm. Admission is $10 and parking is free. For more info, visit IsraelFestival.com.

Contact: Yoram Gutman 818-757-0123

e-mail: IsraelFestival@aol.com

PRNewswire -- May 16
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Source: Israel Independence Day Festival

Web site:

http://www.israelfestival.com/

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