Here’s What You Need To Know About This Weekend’s Mermaid Parade
Colorful costumes will flood Coney Island for the annual Mermaid Parade. The massive art event, which takes place Saturday, June 18, begins at 1pm at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, moving east to West 10th Street, and then south towards the boardwalk. Floats, cars, and marchers will eventually disband at Steeplechase Plaza.
Founded in 1983, the Mermaid Parade was created with three goals: to bring mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune, to creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment,” and to let artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public.
A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride.
This year’s Mermaid Queen is Hailey Clauson, a Californian model who graced the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. And Carlo Scissura, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and a Dyker Heights resident, has been named King Neptune.
“All I can say is when you’ve been named King Neptune, you know you’ve made it in Brooklyn,” said Scissura. “[The Mermaid Parade] is the greatest day for the borough and Coney Island and a time for all Brooklynites and New Yorkers to come together and be who we are!”
Online registration to march in this year’s parade has already closed, but if you have cash on hand, you can still register the day of the event. For $150 you can still sign up to judge the event. There won’t be a Mermaid Parade Ball this year, but here are some nearby after parties to check out:
- Everyone is invited to a shindig at the Freak Bar (1208 Surf Avenue) immediately after the parade.
- A free all-day dance party will be held from 2pm to 11pm at Coney Art Walls, 3050 Stillwell Avenue.
- A DJ will be spinning at Margarita Island (1105 Bowery Street) from 2pm to 2am, Sunday morning. The massive outdoor restaurant and bar serves BBQ, loaded nachos, and teriyaki dishes until 1am.
- Classic Coney Island bars like Ruby’s Bar and Grill, Peggy O’Neills and Toms Coney Island also are sure to be jumping all night, thanks to the crowds.
