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A New York City tradition returned after laying dormant during the Covid-era as Saturday saw the triumphant comeback of Coney Island’s annual 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.
The event is usually held on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice as a reminder of the coming season.
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.
People were decked out in their finest, tiniest outfits at the 40th Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn Saturday
These floats are scary but the parade attendees don’t seem to be too worried
A pointy theme for this parade attendee, as the typically scantily clad revelers had to brave temperatures that dipped into the 60s
Don’t say his name three times! A pair of Beetlejuice-themed costumes hang out with a sailor
A blue and gold theme extends all the way to this parade attendee’s face and beard
There wasn’t a ton of sun out Saturday but this hasn’t stopped one attendee from bringing out the garish shades
Cotton candy colors for this attendee’s hair and for their outfit, standing out amongst the grey clouds
This reveler on a unicycle is clearly attempting to play hide and seek, but at least he’s got a crown on for coverage
Dr. Dave Chokshi (pictured right), the former New York City Health Commissioner, served as King Neptune for the event
Justin Vivian Bond, a Tony-nominated singer and transgender entertainer, served as Queen Mermaid
King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are often the unofficial grand marshals of the parade
Past kings and queens have included the likes of Lou Reed, Deborah Harry, David Byrne and Queen Latifah
This matching, seagoing pair pose for a photo, embracing the nautical theme complete with a trident
The parade is an all ages event, as seen here from this mix of young and old enjoying the sights
This group is having fun just for the shell of it! They fit in well with the typically acquatic theme
One parade-goer had a plainly stated political message in the wake of the leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion
Thousands of revelers typically enjoy the parade, which returned after two years away due to the pandemic
On a breezy day in Brooklyn, this parade-goer is letting it all hang out
A trident fit for a king for this teal warrior as he walks past the famous Coney Island Nathan’s Hot Dogs
This pair embraces with their matching tridents and matching light blue ensembles
These participants were all going green for the day, with one younger attendee dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid
This was the 40th anniversary of the parade and the first one to be held in person since 2019
The parade passes by several Coney Island landmarks, including the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog stand
A message of ‘we’re back!’ was emphasized, especially by this Lady Liberty
Mermaids travel in packs, at least in the case of this group of fun-seekers
A mighty yell for this prince of the sea, all covered in seafoam green
The event came back to Brooklyn Saturday despite unseasonably cool temperatures and the sun not always cooperating.
In 2020, the parade was technically ‘held’ as a virtual event. The 2021 edition was pushed to September in a desperate attempt to keep it alive but was eventually canceled.
Every year a King Neptune and a Queen Mermaid are crowned. This year’s King Neptune was former New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, while Queen Mermaid went to Tony nominee and transgender entertainer Justin Vivian Bond.
Past honorees have included folk singer Arlo Guthrie, Blondie lead singer Deborah Harry, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s son Dante and daughter Chiara, Velvet Underground mastermind Lou Reed, Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and actress/singer Queen Latifah, among others.
Miss New York holds hands with an adorable young girl in a purple dress at the Mermaid Parade
A parade goer rocks an all-blue ensemble with a matching blue wig at Saturday’s Mermaid Parade
A parade goer doesn’t forget to add a political message to her outfit, with the words ‘abortions on demand’ written on her belly
Although not nautical themed, a man wears an impressive cyborg costume at Saturday’s Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn
A group of women look stunning with their bedazzled faces and outfits at the 40th annual Mermaid Parade
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 woman wears a creative floatie that reads” ‘Free Shrugs’ as she shrugs during the 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 woman adds a sinister twist to her costume for Saturday’s Mermaid Parade
A parade goer gets in the spirit and busts a move with her friends at Saturday’s Mermaid 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 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
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
Parade goers dance next to a huge green and blue cheetah print squid costume on Saturday
A line of parade goers dance down the streets of Brooklyn to celebrate the return of the Mermaid Parade
A man casts his vote for best costumes and music groups at this year’s Mermaid Parade
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.’
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.’
One of the many creative, colorful costumes on display at the world-famous Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn
A group of women got the memo and dressed in their most colorful mermaid outfits for Saturday’s parade
A young lady lets her curls blow in the wind as she holds up an umbrella in her white, purple and pink outfit perfect for the Mermaid Parade
A parade goer throws up a peace sign on top of a unicorn at the Mermaid Parade
A man dressed as Neptune, king of the sea, takes a break from the festivities on Saturday
A group of matching all-red mermaids steal the show at the 40th annual Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn
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
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’
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 ricks heart-shaped sunglasses and wears an extravagant purple ensemble
A group of grey-haired ladies wear matching golden outfits for the spirited Mermaid Parade
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
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