The Coney Island Mermaid Parade!
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade was this weekend, infamous for aqua wigs, hip scarves, body paint, and crazy costumes. This intense procession of dreamy girls and drag queens is celebrating its 30th anniversary!
“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.
The Parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, enjoy cocktails and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City’s hottest performers.” (More)
Who else wants to have a mermaid party now?! Maybe I’ll throw one at Mehanata. ;}
More from my weekend later…
Ah, love these photos! I have ALWAYS wanted to go to the Mermaid Parade! It’s one of my biggest regrets left behind in NY.
It’s inspiring! Maybe you should start one in your new location. ;}
Yes! As soon as it warms up and stops raining here, I’m busting out a brassiere of sequins and magic make-up. :)
Love this! Oooooh I wish my fellow countrymen knew how to have fun, we really need more color in our lives. The only thing as big and flamboyant and awesome as this around here (Iceland) is Gay Pride, and sadly, that’s only once per year… Amazing pictures.
we are purple
By the one to bring that extra color to their lives!
It is an event unique to Coney Island, and is one of the nation’s largest art parades, based on the island’s original Mardi Gras which used to take place in the early 19th century.