NEW YORK (AP) - Elected officials joined thousands of marchers in a sea of blue and white flags along New York City's Fifth Avenue for the annual Celebrate Israel parade.

Participants ranging from school-age children to adults came out Sunday under overcast skies for the event. Elected officials who marched included New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, as well as Sen. Charles Schumer. Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber was an honorary grand marshal.

The event was formerly known as the Salute to Israel Parade, and marks the birth of the Jewish state in 1948. The thousands of people who take part include students from regional yeshivas and Jewish day schools, Jewish groups and synagogues.

Participants with the Manhattan Jewish Experience march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

At the parade Sunday, Cuomo declared the day as Shimon Peres Day.

"Shimon Peres was a phenomenal world leader. He had been in public service for 50 years. Prime minister of Israel, president of Israel, foreign minister of Israel, but he was a leader respected internationally," Cuomo said. "When you were with him you believed and felt you were in the presence of greatness."

Participants with the Moriah School march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Participants with the Greater MetroWest (New Jersey) Day School march on 5th Ave. along during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Revelers on 5th Ave. look towards participants as they march along during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Honorary Grand Marshall New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, center right, joins other dignitaries as they march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, center, speaks with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat as they march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Participants with the Greater MetroWest (New Jersey) Day School march on 5th Ave. along during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A protester yells towards a police officer while standing along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A protester yells out while standing along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Yosef Shlomo Young, 3, of Woodmere, N.Y., waves the flag of Israel as he joins participants marching along 5th during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Participants march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Two demonstrators, center right top and center, are taken into police custody near 5th Ave. and W. 65th Street during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Participants with the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls march along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A participant marching along 5th Ave. during the 53rd annual Celebrate Israel Parade, left, engages protesters Sunday, June 4, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)