On the summer solstice each year, Coney Island transforms itself from a crazy, depraved, whimsical amusement park into a crazy, depraved, whimsical amusement park crawling with scantily-clad party-goers. That’s right, dear readers. It’s time for the Mermaid Parade!
The Mermaid Parade winds its way along Coney Island’s main drag (pun intended) and spills onto the boardwalk. It’s been going on for 30 years and has grown to more than 1,500 participants. Officially, it’s billed as an art parade, “a celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside…opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride.” Unofficially, the Mermaid Parade is a romping good time where people get sunburns in places where people shouldn’t get sunburns.
Without further ado, here are some photos from years past. Heads-up: apparently mermaids spend a lot of their mer-cash on pasties and fishnets.
How will you be spending the summer solstice?
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Loved your line about folks spending their mercash on pasties and fishnets. VERY funny. Great photos. I don’t have any big plans. A big thing to do here is go to Ingapirca–the largest Inca ruin in Ecuador, for the solstice. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. And special greetings to Reggie!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Oh, yes! I remember that post you did about the Ingapirca. Very cool!
I guess you’re approaching the winter solstice! Do you get a cold winter season, or are the seasons more wet / dry?
Love the body painting on fourth one 🙂 Looks like a fun event.
Incidentally, I’ve just read on the entertainment news that Andrej Pejic is going to be cast as a mermaid in Sofia Coppola’s new film. He may well set a new standard 😉
I think he should be the Grand Marshal of the Mermaid Parade, you know, to get ready for this role. I’m sure he’s a method actor. 🙂
You should suggest it to him. He lives somewhere near you…
Great photos! I love the one of the gentleman with the yellow beard. Is he King Neptune?
Indeed he is! There are a lot of King Neptunes at the parade, but I thought he is the best looking one. 🙂
Humans are such fascinating creatures. Almost as fascinating as mermaids. 🙂
Happy solstice!
Fascinating is an understatement. 🙂
I love the variety of ways that people interpret “mermaid.” So…um… creative.
Looks like amazing fun! 🙂
It’s hard not to get swept up in all things sea-related. 🙂 Good times.
Wow! I had NO idea this was a thing. A friend of mine in Minnesota has a trilogy with Random House’s YA division all about mermaids in Lake Superior. I’m sending this post to her ASAP.
In Coney Island the term “mermaid” is defined rather loosely. Maybe your friend’s next novel should take place in Coney Island. She could come for some research. 🙂
I was born and brought up in Brooklyn and spent many happy times in Coney Island. Never knew about the Mermaid Parade; however, missed it probably because I moved out to Hicksville LI before the annual Parade began. I I had known, perhaps I would have gone to witness the festivities!
It’s a lot of fun — even if you don’t dress up. Excellent people watching! 🙂
You’re so right, and your terrific pictures are proof that that parade is a lot of fun — and so are the mermaids! Meow! (Don’t tell Reggie I said that, okay?) Unfortunately, this year I screwed up and I’m ushering a matinee performance of an Off-Broadway play tomorrow, so I’ll miss it.
Your secret will be safe with me. (Though you know Reggie does like the kitties. 🙂 )
Hope you got to see a good show.
The play was excellent — “Our New Girl” a psychological thriller written by Nancy Harris. It’s being staged at Atlantic Theater Company’s Stage 2, a 99 seat black box theater. The intimacy of the theater ratcheted up the intensity of the play. Two people suffered so much anxiety watching it they didn’t return following intermission. I highly recommend it.
Wow, great photos, Jackie! Have never heard of this but it sounds like a lot of fun.
“Mercash”–good one. 🙂
There is so much “eye candy” if you will that it’s hard to know where to aim the camera. 🙂
Looks like a very interesting day out! Did they keep the theme going with the food on offer?Krabby Patties and Krusty Krab Pizza??
Ha! I didn’t see any.
This is a brilliant idea. Next year, we’ll sell Krusty Krab Pizza and Lobstah Bisque. I see it now. We’ll be rich. 🙂
“…where people get sunburns in places where people shouldn’t get sunburns…” Um, yes, indeed. What an apt description! I imagine there are quite a few vouyers who show up to witness this event.
Funny timing, though… I’m reading Alice Hoffman’s THE MUSEUM OF EXTRAORDINARY THINGS, and the setting is near Coney Island, and you guessed it … mermaid-type themes. I am loving this book! Have you read it? (And are you enjoying The Orchardist? One of my all-time favorite books).
I’ve been meaning to add Alice Hoffman’s book to my TBR list. I’ll definitely do that now with your recommendation. (You always write the best reviews! )
I’m really enjoying The Orchardist. I had to put it aside for a few days because I have a new editing project but I’ll get back to it ASAP.
This is crazy! My solstice was definitely spent in a much quieter way (probably watching a sunset or sunrise or…maybe just writing) but these photos are pretty impressive. I especially love the one of the synchronized dancing!!! (and apologies for spelling… I can’t seem to remember how to spell solstice or synchronized this morning…)
The photos don’t even do it justice. The Mermaid Parade is oceans of fun. 😛
Looking forward to more of your sunset photos over the bay.
Some seriously scary images there, Jackie, but good fun! 🙂