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In honor of 100 years of Zionism, a few daring visitors donned black beards, high hats and appropriate attire for the Theodor Herzl look-alike contest.

Others got their faces painted or created necklaces with their names in Hebrew.

And hundreds sang "Yom Huledet Sameach," voicing wishes of peace on behalf of Israel's 49th birthday.

Such sights and sounds filled Sharon Meadows in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Memorial Day Sunday for the community's Israel Independence Day celebration, which, this year, also honored Zionism's 100th anniversary and Lag B'Omer.

The free four-hour celebration attracted a crowd estimated at 2,500.

Welcoming participants to "Sunday in the Park with Herzl," Alan Rothenberg, president of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, remarked on the symbolism of being "back in Golden Gate Park — which a hundred years ago was one big giant sand dune, much like Israel 49 years ago."

Bringing greetings from the state of Israel, Consul Eran Etzion spoke of a future of "peace, security, freedom and democracy in a pluralistic society."

The event was organized by the S.F.-based Israel Center and co-sponsored by the JCF, Jewish Community Relations Council, Bureau of Jewish Education, Consulate General of Israel and Jewish Bulletin of Northern California.

As the festivities got under way, Jews of all ages strolled through the park enjoying sunny weather and munching on everything from falafel and kosher hot dogs to sweet babkas and rugelach.

Headlining the birthday bash was Mizrachi-style singer Jimmy Gamliel, a hit at last year's Jerusalem 3000 festival. Other live entertainment included the Brandeis Hillel Chorus, dancers from Tikvah Music School and Metzitzim MeHa'Etzbah, an 11-member teenage performance troupe from the JCF's partner region in Israel's Northern Galilee. Storyteller Joel ben Izzy also stole the stage with tales that enthralled kids and grownups alike.

In between the action on center stage, participants joined in Israeli dancing and interactive art projects. Others wandered by booths filled with the works of local artists and information from a number of Jewish organizations. Still others awaited the results of raffles they had entered.

Taking in the festive surroundings, 30-year-old Rachael Cohen of Marin recalled how, as a child, her mother used to have to literally drag her to Israel Independence Day celebrations.

"Now I come every year. I can remember one time being in Stern Grove when the peace talks were going on with Egypt. There were threats of bombs and security guards everywhere. Today seems a lot more free. There really is an atmosphere of peace."

Unlike Cohen, some participants, like 7-year-old Barry Springer, worried about the prospect of peace in Israel. The South Peninsula youngster joined others in writing and sending birthday wishes to Israel.

Springer tacked his card with "wishes for peace and happiness in Israel" along with others that included yearnings for "no more fighting," "peace and no war," "the world to be nice to Israel" and "no more terrorism."

First-time Israel Independence Day participant Beth Lederer, who moved to San Francisco from New York six years ago, called the day a great way to feel part of the Jewish community.

Just one month ago, the 31-year-old enrolled in her first course in Jewish education at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center. On Sunday, she found herself volunteering to greet newcomers in front of the JCC information booth, encouraging others to become active participants in the Jewish community.

Herzl look-alikes joined other costumed characters from the "Zionist Hall of Fame," offering information about their life and work.

Posing for a photo in front of a cardboard statute of Herzl, 17-year-old Michael Khavul said that going to Israel is the only way to "really know what Israel Independence Day is all about." A teen consultant with the Israel Experience, Khavul aims to help increase Bay Area teens' travel to Israel.

Many festival participants, like Oakland resident and JCF Young Adults Division volunteer Wayne Lampert, spoke of still being on a high from attending last week's Noa concert in San Francisco. Sponsored by the Israel Center, the concert was also held in honor of Israel Independence Day.

Israeli pop star Noa electrified the stage at Masonic Auditorium, where nearly 1,500 people gathered to hear her signature blend of folk, jazz and Middle Eastern rhythms. Performing with her was Gil Dor, one of Israel's leading jazz guitarists and Noa's longtime musical partner.

Wrapping up the Golden Gate Park celebration, emcee Rabbi Henry "Herzl" Shreibman, Brandeis Hillel Day School head of schools, thanked everyone for coming out and made a plug for next year's festival in honor of Israel's 50th.

"If you thought this was good, you will not believe what's being planned for next year. It will be a communitywide celebration like we've never seen," he promised.