Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade makes a splash after a two year break due to pandemic

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Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade makes a splash after a two year break due to pandemic: Thousands of New Yorkers descend on the boardwalk the largest art parade in the nation

  • On Saturday spectators lined up to look at the creative costumes during the largest art parade in the nation which hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the pandemic
  • The parade, which features 1,500 participants from all of New York City, celebrates ancient mythology and ‘honky-tonk rituals’ of the seaside, according to the parade’s website
  •  The Mermaid Parade is a local tradition that’s been around since 1983, celebrating both the summer solstice and the Brooklyn neighborhood’s quirky heritage

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People came out in their funkiest outfits for the triumphant return of Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade. 

On Saturday spectators lined up to look at the creative costumes during the largest art parade in the nation which hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the pandemic. 

The parade, which features 1,500 participants from all of New York City, celebrates ancient mythology and ‘honky-tonk rituals’ of the seaside, according to the parade’s website. 

A parade goer wearing a a sparkly blue mermaid outfit adjusts his makeup ahead of the parade on Saturday

A parade goer wearing a a sparkly blue mermaid outfit adjusts his makeup ahead of the parade on Saturday

A young girl rocks funky blue hair and holds a trident on one of the floats for the 40th Annual Mermaid Parade

A young girl rocks funky blue hair and holds a trident on one of the floats for the 40th Annual Mermaid Parade

Two mermaids dazzle on the backseat of a convertible as they participate in this year's Mermaid Parade

Two mermaids dazzle on the backseat of a convertible as they participate in this year’s Mermaid Parade

A man wears a creative fish head costume as part of the nautical theme for the annual art parade in Brooklyn

A man wears a creative fish head costume as part of the nautical theme for the annual art parade in Brooklyn 

A parade participant smiles as she takes part in the festivities which celebrate ancient mythology and 'honky-tonk rituals' of the seaside

A parade participant smiles as she takes part in the festivities which celebrate ancient mythology and ‘honky-tonk rituals’ of the seaside

A large group of people dressed to the nine participate in the Mermaid Parade 40th Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island,

A large group of people dressed to the nine participate in the Mermaid Parade 40th Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island,

Parade participants stun in traditional yellow outfits during the 40th annual Mermaid parade

Parade participants stun in traditional yellow outfits during the 40th annual Mermaid parade

After a two-year hiatus one parade goer flashes a sign celebrating the return of the Mermaid Parade

After a two-year hiatus one parade goer flashes a sign celebrating the return of the Mermaid Parade

An adorable baby dressed as some kind of sea creature joins in on the fun at the 40th annual Mermaid Parade

An adorable baby dressed as some kind of sea creature joins in on the fun at the 40th annual Mermaid Parade

The Mermaid Parade is a local tradition that’s been around since 1983, celebrating both the summer solstice and the Brooklyn neighborhood’s quirky heritage. 

The parade now has a global following and is staged each year on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice.

 Adam Rinn, the artistic director of Coney Island USA, which organizes the event told Gothamist that the parade has something for everyone. 

‘Imagine the greatest underwater safari that you can be on where there’s just something to see all over the place,’ Rinn said. ‘And if you blink, don’t worry, because there’s even more cool stuff coming up.’ 

Every year a King Neptune and a Queen Mermaid are crowned. 

Schools of glittery mermaids marched wearing a bedazzling combination of pearls, jewels, fringe shells, sequins, scales and glittery seaweed. 

Festive floats made their way down the parade route in Coney Island as marchers danced under the hot sun and crowds cheered from the sidewalk.

DJ Vourderis, with Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park,  told PIX 11 that the parade is a ‘huge party’ and that its just what people need after the pandemic.

‘COVID brought out the worst in us,’ he said. ‘This is the best of us and a place of joy.’

 

A well dressed duo show out and stick to the nautical theme for the 40th annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday

A well dressed duo show out and stick to the nautical theme for the 40th annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday

Revelers take pictures of a parade goer wearing his best blue outfit with green face paint to match

Revelers take pictures of a parade goer wearing his best blue outfit with green face paint to match 

A group of women strike a pose in their most colorful clothes and makeup at the Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn

A group of women strike a pose in their most colorful clothes and makeup at the Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn

A parade goer opts for a more political costumer, dressing as a judge with a sash that reads 'Save Roe v Wade'

A parade goer opts for a more political costumer, dressing as a judge with a sash that reads ‘Save Roe v Wade’

Festive floats made their way down the parade route in Coney Island as marchers danced under the hot sun and crowds cheered from the sidewalk

Festive floats made their way down the parade route in Coney Island as marchers danced under the hot sun and crowds cheered from the sidewalk

A parade participant waves to the adoring crows as he ears an impressive headpiece

A parade participant waves to the adoring crows as he ears an impressive headpiece 

A parade participant ricks heart-shaped sunglasses and wears an extravagant purple ensemble

A parade participant ricks heart-shaped sunglasses and wears an extravagant purple ensemble 

People dressed eccentrically for the festivities ride the subway the the Mermaid Parade on Saturday

People dressed eccentrically for the festivities ride the subway the the Mermaid Parade on Saturday 

Schools of glittery mermaids rocked a bedazzling sea of pearls, jewels, fringe shells, sequins, scales and glittery seaweed

Schools of glittery mermaids rocked a bedazzling sea of pearls, jewels, fringe shells, sequins, scales and glittery seaweed



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