The 2014 Mermaid Parade will be held this Sat., Jun. 21st, at 1PM EST. The Mermaid parade is an annual parade in NYC. It celebrates ancient mythology, as well as honky-tonk rituals of the seaside. The parade remains one of the biggest art parades in the nation. The last six parades were held on June 21, 2008; June 20, 2009; June 19, 2010; June 18, 2011; June 23, 2012; June 22, 2013. The parade is intended to capture the mood and spirit of Mardi Gras.
The Mermaid Parade was first created in 1983 with three specific goals: 1.) to bring mythology to life for local residents, particularly those living on the streets called “Mermaid” and “Neptune”, 2.) to establish confidence in a district that is often categorized as merely “entertainment”, and 3.) to provide New Yorkers with an opportunity to employ self-expression in public.
The Mermaid Parade overflows with creativity. Over 15 hundred people participate and portray their take on this celebration. The event is meant to promote entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade is intended to emphasize Coney Island Pageantry, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the area, in order to make a festival.
The Mermaid parade is famous for its extravagant marine costumes, which often involve nudity. According to New York State law, it is legal for women to be topless in public, so this should be expected at the parade. Nonetheless, this event is still very family-friendly, so such groups are welcomed as well. All types of mermaids and sea creatures are shown.
The festival is unique in its lack of ulterior motives or specific affiliations. It is described as a New York version of the summer-solstice celebration. Artwork is framed by the festival, however participants have as much freedom to create their handmade costumes as they would like.
Push-pull floats and marchers can register at Surf Avenue and West 21st street, motorized floats and antique cars can register at Surf Avenue on the side of West 19th and West 20th street. The Parade will begin at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, rolling to West 10th Street. At West 10th Street the Parade will take a turn and go south towards the boardwalk. All motorized floats and cars will trek down Surf Avenue passing West 10th Street and exit the parade. The marchers and push-pull floats will turn west, heading towards West 17th Street, at the boardwalk. The parade will ultimately disband at Steeplechase Plaza.
The 32nd annual parade, this year, will team up with several Bensonhurst-based muscle car clubs, the Hungry March Band, and a celebrity King and Queen, who remain TBA. The program is supported by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Photo: Coney Island Mermaid Parade
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