Remembering the Mermaid Parade @ Coney Island, Brooklyn

i attended the mermaid parade in june 2007 when i lived in new york.  unfortunately it no longer exists.  it was one of the most unique festivals i ever attended with the most unique vibe - it was so much fun! here is an article i wrote last year for traveljournalnetwork.com

(originally posted FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008)

Part Mardi Gras, part Art Parade, part Carnival - the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island is not to be missed!

NEW YORK - One of my most memorable and favourite events to hit when I was living in New York was the Mermaid Parade. It is one of the greatest summer events in Brooklyn. Regrettably of my four years living in New York, it was only in my last year that I attended it.

The Mermaid Parade, which originated in New York in 1983 is an event that is distinctly a product of New York and is only celebrated in New York. 

The parade usually begins at 2pm down on Surf Avenue and attracts a couple thousand participants who march, or walk, or dance in the parade either on floats, in marching bands or in groups.  The entire Surf Avenue rapidly becomes packed with hundreds of thousands of spectators all waiting for the fun to start.

The event itself is part Mardi Gras, part Carnival, part Halloween, and part art parade.  The parade exists to celebrate and welcome the beginning of the summer season and to mark the official opening of the Atlantic Ocean.  The parade takes place down in Coney Island, which is located at the most southern point of Brooklyn where land meets ocean.  It is customary for people to go to the boardwalk and throw fruit into the water to appease the Sea God, Poseidon.

Many parade spectators also dress up in extraordinary marine costumes ranging from mermaids, mermen, sea captains, sea creatures, sea monsters, etc.  The weather is so hot this time of year that most of the costumes appear in the form of  colourful and elaborate make-up and body paint.  Accessories are also thoughtful, colourful, and creative: netted costumes, masks, shiny glittery body suits, jewelry and beads; bright and bold body paint meticulously painted on faces, arms, chests and entire bodies.  Costumes are anything and everything that represent Sea Life, both living and dead.  Costumes, colour, and creativity are so outstanding and brilliant that this event is one of most popular events for photographers to shoot.

After the parade there is so much to still see and do!  The day is far from over.  Coney Island is really an exciting place to be.  It is full of life and full of people with great energy!  

On a gorgeous summer day the entire area is packed.  You can go to the beach and swim in the Atlantic Ocean.  You can check out the boardwalk, the shops, the bars, or get something to eat on a patio.  There is also the Coney Island amusement park, “Astroland”, which is right beside the boardwalk.  Check out the Cyclone roller coaster, or the Wonder Wheel (as I did last year - fun times!).  There are haunted houses, fun houses, games where you can win prizes, bumper cars, shops, carnival food to eat, and “Nathan’s Famous” original hot dog stand which opened on Coney Island in 1916 which has become a landmark.

 Between the years of about 1880 and WWII, Coney Island was the largest amusement areas in the US, attracting several million visitors per year.  Today it remains as the home of the Mermaid Parade, and in my opinion one of the most fun(!!) places to hang out where you can lay on the beach, go swimming, eat outdoors on a patio, and take in some amusement rides…all under the sun next to the water!  This is my heaven and my idea of a great day! 

And all for one subway ride away from Manhattan!

Getting there:

D, F, N, Q trains to Stillwell station.

taken from joe holmes on Flickr

Dead or Alive?

taken from LarimdaME on Flickr 

Good as gold. PERFECT body.

Photo taken from www.bluejake.com 

Gothic mermaid with eye outbreak. Or is it her eyeball collection?

taken from perezishmael on Flickr