Kickstarter Campaign Needed To Save Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The scantily-clad mermaids are in danger of staying in their magical underwater kingdoms unless everyone chips in to coax them out. Last March, we reported that the famed Mermaid Parade was in danger of being canceled because the event’s operator, Coney Island USA, had sustained $400,000 in Superstorm Sandy damages and needed to cut back on expenses, which included the parade.

To fight the potential cancellation of the parade, the New York Daily News is reporting that a Kickstarter campaign will be launched on May 6 in an attempt to save it. Event organizers are looking raise $100,000.

“The parade brings millions of dollars to the area — and to not have it would be a huge hit to the small businesses,” David Sosnow, who is organizing the online fundraiser, told the Daily News.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz spoke to the importance of the parade and the fundraiser.

“The Mermaid Parade is America’s most underdressed parade and it is a major tourist attraction not only in Brooklyn but the entire city of New York,” Markowitz told the Daily News.

For more information on donating to save the parade, visit savemermaids.org, which will provide the link to the Kickstarter campaign once it is launched on May 6.