Thousands of people turned out Sunday to enjoy Frishman Beach on the sands of Tel Aviv – even though the air was cool, the beach oceanless, and the sand dumped in the middle of New York City's Central Park.
Umbrellas and beach chairs decorated 15 tons of sand imported from Tel Aviv's beach for the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Tel Aviv Beach Party, one of many events celebrating Tel Aviv's 100th birthday. Attendees were treated to free popsicles, hats and beach paddles, as well as performances by Israeli musicians.
Hosted by Amir Fay Guttman, the June 21 event included a performance by Israeli group Hatikva 6 and DJ Hadar Marcus.
Visitors to the "beach" said they were inspired to visit Tel Aviv's real beaches after attending the event.
The "beach party" -- which was sponsored by Israel's Foreign Ministry, Tourism Ministry, the Tel Aviv Municipality, and El Al Airlines -- cost an estimated $150,000.
However, not all the attendees came to celebrate Tel Aviv's establishment a century ago.
At least five bikini-clad protestors crashed the party, holding anti-Israel signs such as "Free Gaza" and "Sand won't cover your war crimes." Some of the women covered themselves in mud to protest Israel's "dirty policies", according to the Palestinian Authority-linked Ma'an news agency, based in Bethlehem.
The protestors were escorted away by police, and the participants partied on.