The Mermaid Parade

Somewhere it says that parade starts at 1pm, but really it’s more like 1:45/2pm by the time it starts and hits the boardwalk.
You can’t see a damn thing unless you get there early for a spot, and no one is actually watching the parade — but rather watching it through their cell phones — arms raised — blocking the views of everyone who chooses to actually live their life in the moment.
Props for the participants. I admire you all, but the crowd ruins it.

Lots of people in fun and creative costumes plus the usual Coney Island Crowd. Some topless mermaids… No drama though. Get here early and bring a beach chair. When you’re done you can use it on the beach.

The mermaid parade was truly a blasts but you need to be prepared for the constant crowd you can’t get a break! The crowd is relentless! The Board walk is crowded everything is crowded! It is what you make it once you get past the crowd everyone is really nice people dressed in costumes are willing to take pictures and stuff. I think it was good for kids but some of the customers may be a little inappropriate for kids. Nonetheless this is a great parades for families and a great event that brings people together!

My fiancé and I have been going for 5 years and we love it each time! Definitely a must do day trip!

Completely awesome experience! Can’t wait to do it next year. The costumes were amazing. I loved seeing all the different participants in the parade and meeting the fellow on lookers. What a great element of Coney Island, Brooklyn and the City of New York. Definitely not your typical experience when it comes to parades. And definitely nothing like Manhattan. Looking forward to next year

My. experience fir 2014 with the mermaid parade was very nice. We shared music, had a beach lunch blanket event and met new gay/​lesbian friends. Im trying to find out what date in 2015 this Summer will the event be held. Anyone know?

Great fun! I was hopped up on antibiotics, but I decided not to miss this for another year. It’s crazy how you can put things off and before you know it, it’s already 5 yrs down the line. It didn’t hurt now that I live pretty close to the area.
I originally wanted to take the bus, but I got lazy and tried to have someone drop me a few blocks off the parade. That was a mistake considering the traffic going in that direction was heinous. Halfway there, I jumped out of the car and walked the rest of the way. I’m so glad I didn’t arrive via wheels; there was no way I’d get in for another half hr the way we were moving.
When my friend and I got to Surf Avenue, about 45 minutes in, people were already situated against the barricades. I didn’t bring my camera because I’m awfully protective of it and thought I wouldn’t even get close enough for a good angle. But the mermaid gods smiled upon us! Our first position was behind several people who happened to be short enough to create gaps for a line of sight. After 15 minutes or so, we decided to switch since our cell pics included random arms and heads.
A few blocks down the line, my friend spotted children. This could have gone in one of two ways: either the kids start screaming like little terrors or we enjoy a clear shot of the paraders. We lucked out because something even better happened. They left. *insert maniacal laugh* My friend’s tactical decision was well rewarded.
The parade itself was artsy and creative most of the time; sometimes, there were dull moments where no one was walking. Other times, I struggled to grasp how certain costumes/​elements had anything to do with the mermaid theme. Full nudity doesn’t count, and neither does being slutty for the sake of it. Yes, there’s a difference. If you’re not going to stick to a nautical theme, at least try to add a tail. I saw a mom and daughter duo in wolf and Red Riding Hood garb, and they added mermaid tails. That was incredibly cute!
There were some pervs out there screaming for women to «shake it.» Those boys pretty much declared to everyone how little action they’ve been getting. On my walk back, I was heckled by a few drivers. Ladies, be vigilant about your awareness. Boys, just stop.
The thing I really loved about this parade was how confident everyone was; it was such a refreshing experience!

So crowded and so hot! Remember to wear lots of sunscreen because you’ll be standing around a lot — either watching the parade goers or due to grid lock because of all the weird barricades that the police put up.
In terms of the parade itself — there were lots of great creative costumes and lots of women in pasties. But there were also a fair amount of parade floats that were just filled with regularly dressed people and not very interesting to watch. Parade was delayed by at least an hour. Getting food was incredibly hard as it was so crowded, so bring your own food!

The parade itself was interesting to say the least. I give a lot of credit to the marchers to walk around like that, especially to the 300lb woman with her boobs hanging down to her knees covered only with seashells. I have no idea where these people come from. It was so packed you couldn’t move an inch in either direction. Lines were so incredibly long for any food and drinks. No garbage cans on the boardwalk so the refuse really started pile up.
Trying to leave was a total nightmare and I am surprised a stampede didn’t happen. They really need to organize this better.

The Mermaid Parade was a HUGE MESS this year!!! I checked it out for the first time because I had heard about it and friends invited me to join them. It started at 1 and went on for a few hours.
In short, the extravagant costumes are really fun to see, however, watch out for the partial nudity. It’s not something you take your conservative parents to fyi. People dress up as mermaids, Disney characters, mythical creatures, sea gods, and just as women with only their nipples covered. They really go all out with their outfits and it’s quite a sight.
The parade needs some work; the majority of it was old school cars full of regularly dressed people. I don’t know what that has to do with mermaids??? For a good portion of the parade, nothing is happening which makes you think that they are unorganized and didn’t plan thoroughly enough.
The crowd– ohhh the crowd. It’s a total mess. Way too many people. It’s almost impossible to move your location, especially because of the cops who are standing in front of the people with police guards and threatening to arrest you if you move. They allow you to cross the street every 20 – 30 minutes. When my friends and I moved to the boardwalk where the parade continued, and we wanted to cross from one side of the parade to the other, it took half an hour! It is ridiculous.
Food is a nightmare to find because it’s so crowded and the lines are insane. There was an hour and a half wait for Grimaldi’s and an hour wait on the Nathan’s line. If you want to use a bathroom, go to the Grimaldi’s bathrooms or the beach’s bathrooms.
The beach is also way too crowded and thus extremely dirty. If you’re going to the beach day of the parade, be prepared. Also, a few of my friends didn’t have service so it was difficult, if not impossible, to find them. If you can, first meet up, and then go to the parade together.
All in all, it’s an interesting adventure to go on with your friends but I don’t think I’ll be visiting Coney Island again on the day of the Mermaid Parade.

This year was the 30^th anniversary of Coney Island’s historic Mermaid Parade. We’re almost the same age. You see, the mermaid parade began in the summer of 1983. I was also born in the summer of 1983. Both the Mermaid Parade and myself were born under a star that would apparently dictate that both of us be mermaid enthusiastic.
I love Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the idea of beautiful underwater Sirens (both the bad ones in Greek/​Roman mythology and the positive fables of merwomen who guided sailors away from tumultuous waters and into safety). I love the original Little Mermaid, you know the one, where she stabs the prince and then kills herself because it’s what felt right at the time (long story go look it up).
I’m a fan of generally all things nautical. I’m a fierce, fiery, spitball born as an earth sign with a fondness for all things watery… but I digress. Pretty sure this is the only Mermaid Parade in the nation… in the world. Thus it’s the best, obvi.
The organizers and participants put all there heart and soul into putting on the very best production every year that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.
This year they thought they would have some trouble putting together the rest of the funds required because Hurrican Sally messed up with a lot of the things they had planned to raise money (mostly through sideshows, art exhibits and such — but locations had to close indefinitely and things had to be postponed) so they created a Kickstarter campaign to raise $ 100k. I donated as did many others and they raised waaaaaaay over that they needed to cover costs, license, pay people livable-​wages, etc.
This is truly an amazing community effort and I’ve gone most of the years that I could — this year my best friend had her moving day this year — I’m a good freakin’ friend and so the Mermaid Parade had to take a backseat, but I assure you that I was there (flipping around in faux fins — cuz legs are required for jumping and dancing!) in spirit.
5 (THOUSAND!!!) stars for the Mermaid Parade on Mermaid Avenue {3 {3 {3.

This was my first time going to the parade after hearing so much about it for so many years. While I had fun, I don’t think I’ll be heading back next year.
The parade is 4 hours long. There is almost zero bathroom access and depending on where you’re standing you’ll be corralled in by police barricades and not allowed to leave (some were arrested for trying). Which means you have to choose between staying hydrated and needing to find a bathroom (good luck with that) or seeing the whole parade. The best place to stand is on Surf Ave. on the side of the street that has the bars. Because food! And booze! And it’s not as sardine packed as the boardwalk, though you’re still going to be stepped on and shoved a bit.
That boardwalk is insane by the way. After spending about 3 ½ hours watching the parade, I got bored and restless. My friend had to use the bathroom and I was determined to get some fried shrimp before the day was over, so we headed to the boardwalk to accomplish both those things. What fools we were. Upon seeing the crazy crowds we split up so we could do what we had to, but she couldn’t get anywhere near the bathrooms. I did eventually make my way to Ruby’s and get some shrimp, but this is the most crowded situation I have ever been in. Worse then any subway or elevator car, I have never been so walled in by people.
Obviously women go topless, and there were some scantily clad men too. I did get up the nerve and just have this to say: don’t go topless unless you’re willing to almost constantly have your photo taken. Me and my friend did dress up but didn’t march, and there were times where we couldn’t even move along the street because so many people wanted photos with us. On the plus side everyone (except one dude, who really deserved a swift kick in the ass for being handsy) was well behaved and respectful. Women of all shapes, ages, sizes and colors do participate, so don’t get pissy if you see tits that don’t quite meet your standards– that’s not what it’s about.
Ultimately I had fun and it was a great experience, but we left shortly after the parade ended. It was too crowded to even bother trying to go on rides or hang out on the boardwalk, and that’s honestly the main reason I go to Coney Island. And considering how long the damn subway ride is, I’m just going to leave this as «that really cool thing I did that one time».

Event: 2013 Mermaid Parade, 1pm
Pros:
–The surrounding beach is MUCH better than expected (possibly post-​Sandy reconstruction and great weather were to thank.)
–Wonderful costumes/​people watching
–Part of the parade route it right by the subway stop (which has a Bank of America inside– convenient)
Cons:
–The parade itself was disappointing. Most of the floats are cars/​convertables and were therefore very difficult to see.
–Getting food was a nightmare: not bad price-​wise but insane lines, misadvertising pictures, and ridiculous lines.
–Luna Park either hiked up its prices for the day or the rides are just very pricey.
–Bathrooms (few and disgusting)/street litter
–Beware of partial and unattractive nudity
Sum: Dress-​up and go– armed with food and stamina

Dark imposing waves charge onto the sandy shores of Coney Island with a vehemence that matches the heavy downpour onto the pavement of Surf Avenue 3 summers ago on my first encounter with the Mermaid Parade. A throng of people, most draped in ponchos and armed with sturdy umbrellas, bravely endures the onslaught of rain pouring from the dreary June sky.
Despite the downcast weather the atmosphere of the crowd, including an eclectic array of shirtless men painted with vibrant colors, ladies in elaborate costumes, girls clad in pasties and bikinis, and children in aquatic themed outfits, is exhilarating and cheerful. There is electricity in the air, and suddenly music thunders over the splatter of the shower and a procession of whimsical creatures and visual wonders commence.
Each year on the first Saturday following (and welcoming) the summer solstice, Coney Island is submerged in a fanciful world where mermaids and sea gods not only come to life, they walk on land. The Mermaid Parade is an occasion that celebrates nothing and everything of great significance. It doesn’t honor an historic event or national holiday; rather it is a salute to the vigor and creativity of New Yorkers. According to Coney Island USA, the event celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self expression. Annually, men, women, and children, as well as animals are welcome to march in original outfits created solely for the event and to take part in the festivities.
First introduced to the seaside district in 1983, the Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the nation. During each procession different celebrities, playing the role of King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, assist in the ceremonial proceedings. Reigning over their subjects at the head of the parade, they lead the march to the beach where they welcome summer by cutting ribbons (symbolizing the seasons), and chucking fruit into the ocean as a sacrifice to the sea gods. Past royalties which included Queen Latifah and Moby bequathed the throne to Harvey Keitel and his wife Daphna when I was there for the first time.
Annually, this extravagant event lures New Yorkers down to Brooklyn to witness the display of flamboyant Mer-​people and interesting floats. The mixture of Coney Island, semi nude women and men, and the beach is a combination that one finds hard to ignore.
Near the late afternoon the light descent of water ceases to a halt and the multicolored arrangement of eccentric crowds migrated from the black asphalt to the damp beach, tripping over sandy dunes and the occasional sequined fin. Hums of excitement and bouts of laughter thunder over the ferocious rushing of the tide. The golden regal fish and his mermaid companion toss a pineapple into the waves, with the hope of appeasing the gods of the sea. I waded in the chilly water dotted with floating pieces of fruit, and occasionally ducked to avoid the shower of grapes and orange slices. The mass follows my leas and soon the aquatic creatures return to the sea.

What could be an incredibly unique, racy, creative parade is more like a walk of shame.
I was going to say that half he participants looked like washed up drag queens heading home from a long night of drug-​laced street walking in Harlem.
Then I realized that half of the participants were actually washed up drag queens heading home from a long night of drug-​laced street walking in Harlem.
Mermaids are supposed to be the sirens and seductresses of the sea… not the flounder, carp and eels that flopped down the street in Coney Island.
Apparently it costs $ 3 to be part of the parade. This would explain the myriad of groups that spent a combined 18 minutes on concept, design and costumes.
It might also explain IROC guy. Yes, there were old dudes in old cars sadly hanging on to a last gasp of nostalgia. But then there was IROC guy, sitting alone in his fine ride from 1980-​something, which is probably the last decade in which he got laid.
Listen… I’m not trying to rip on the parade. I’d love for it to work. On the way out, we were on a subway car full of 20-​somethings who were totally decked out for lurid festivities. Unfortunately, they were not in the parade, nor half the fun people in attendance.
Maybe the organizers can do a better job defining who can participate and in what way (having a float helps). Otherwise it’s not worth braving the large crowds just to see an amateurish display of bad 99 cent store Halloween costuming.

a shit show of my favorite kind.
it’s an interpretive east village halloween parade/​coney island freak show where costumes run the gamut of mermaid/​man, seaweed, seahorses, jellyfish, anything else «sea» inspired and, of course, quite a bit of nakedness.
i *usually* love love love the parade. this year i just kinda loved it — my biggest complaint (aside from the very slow moving procession) was the frat boy party «buses» that came through bringing nothing more to the show than college kids drinking bud light on top of a bus or van that was blaring dub step. some of them had some glitter on– most of them were just trying too hard to look cool.
it was almost stampede-​ish when people had to wait for 45 minutes to cross the street and the police finally lifted the barricades to let people through. i would hope that next year, they allow people to cross from the boardwalk side to the subway side more often (especially in the heat and for the many people that are trying to get little ones across). potential danger!

To put it lightly, The Mermaid Parade is a hot mess.
A thinly veiled theme of sea-​mythology-​meets-​Halloween turns Coney Island into Times Square, a fair enough excuse for public nudity and grade A attention whoring on the first weekend of summer. If you’re a spectator looking to get a little weird (as opposed to full weird, which is reserved for parade participants, or ballsier sideliners than myself), getting around is a logistical nightmare. And for whatever reason, there is a ridiculous (and might I suggest questionable) amount of strollers being pushed through the crowds of people trying to set their sights on some mermaids.
Still, the parade is a giant boardwalk party, and who can stay mad at a giant boardwalk party? It’s a celebration of warm weather, a showcase for one of Brooklyn’s most iconic neighborhoods, a liberating event for closet exhibitionists, and just a carefree Saturday to dress up like an octopus king, ride a unicycle in pantyhose, paint your naked body in purples and greens, or strap a cardboard box to your back and call yourself a sea turtle. Or maybe it’s just a sweet spot to catch some sun and get a glimpse of some strange ass and titty action. Or to catch some good art. Yeah, art, that’s it.
It’s no stretch of the imagination to consider The Mermaid Parade a distant cousin of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, not so much because of the drinking (if only booze was more accessible, but more on that later), but because boobies are pretty prominently on display. Seashelled boobies, coconutted boobies, pastied boobies, glittered boobies, straight-​up naked boobies.* Think Diana Ross jiggling Lil Kim’s mermaid titty at the 1999 VMAs, but without the backstage celebrity stylists on-​hand, times a shit-​ton, at a dirty-​ass beach.
However, as I’ve hinted at earlier, getting to this deranged parade takes some patience. First off, make sure to get off at the W 8^th St. stop. If you get off at Coney Island — Stillwell Av. at the end of the F line, you will inevitably walk back towards W 8^th anyway, because that’s where you are permitted to cross Surf Avenue, the parade’s main drag before it snakes to the shore. This route will bring you past the NY Aquarium and put you at the far end of the boardwalk, on the side closest the beach. You will still need to cross the boardwalk to get booze and food, which is a whole new hurdle for you and your crew. You’re technically cutting through the parade route at this point, so you just have to wait for a break in the action when the Mermaid staff will let you. Be forewarned, getting around from one section to another may take up most of your day if you don’t know what the hell you are doing.
That being said, if you are coming to The Mermaid Parade, you’ve likely nothing else on your agenda that Saturday, so you might as well take it all in stride. Whether it’s the sea creatures you’ve got your eye on, or the hordes of people who came to see what all the hubbub is about, this may very well be the Super Bowl of people-​watching. For any New Yorker who is wired to make the most out of everything this city has to offer, The Mermaid Parade is a must-​see event — even if the event ultimately suggests that one time might just be enough.
*Yes, ladies, it is perfectly legal to be topless in public in NYC. The Mermaid Parade is no loophole. Look it up. I swear.

The Nations one and only Mermaid parade!
It is almost that time of year again!
It is primarily an art parade and as such I went the first year!
I love the idea of an art parade especially a Mermaid parade ‚(I was a Mermaid once, long story) but the 3 stars is because it is way too crowded to enjoy now. That means it is successful and fun but now it is pretty over crowded and hard to enjoy.
The annual Mermaid parade is June 23^rd this year!
The annual Mermaid Parade ball the official after-​party of the Mermaid Parade, held at The New York Aquarium (Oceanic Deck and Aqua Theater), Surf Ave. & West 8^th Street, 7pm — 11:30pm, 21 and over.
From the Mermaid Parade web site about the parade–
Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-​for-​profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow, the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island’s forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of other sources resulting in a wonderful and wacky event that is unique to Coney Island.
The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-​expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-​made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed.
Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, David Johansen, Harvey Keitel, Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses.

Worth
Going
Once but be
Prepared. Best to
Go early with water, sunblock, and snacks.

The Mermaid parade is fun to march in, not as much fun to watch. Actually, I only go if I’m in it; this year, my band (Rude Mechanical Orchestra) were «Trash on the Beach,» a tribute to Thor Equities and Sodexo, who will sanitize and ruin Coney forever. Last year we won a trophy for dressing up as sharks and having JAWS as our theme.
I haven’t done it every year for 20 years, but I did first march in it in the 90s. It’s important to go down at the end of the parade and splash in the water, which I did for the first time this year. I seemed to be the only person who didn’t take off my shoes.
Like most parades in New York, the Mermaid parade gets bigger every year.