NYC Singer Songwriter Blog ~ Rock Star Life Lessons by Carla Lynne Hall » Mermaid Parade

Mermaid Parade 2010

Carla — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:42:13 +0000

This year I attended my third Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn’s Coney Island. This year Coney Island showed off some of its recent “Luna Park” renovations.

Sez Coney Island’s website:
A completely original creation of Coney Island USA, the Mermaid Parade is the nation’s largest art parade and one of New York City’s greatest summer events. The parade is proud to have some incredible sponsors.

Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow, the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island’s forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of other sources resulting in a wonderful and wacky event that is unique to Coney Island.

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.

All was not fun and fins though. Some mermaids used this festive occasion to protest BP’s Oil Spill in the Gulf:

It was the most packed that I ever remember – almost too much so. I’d guess that the Mermaid Parade is no longer a “best kept secret”!

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Today is Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade!

Carla — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:03:20 +0000

Rain or shine, today Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade welcomes Summer!

This annual art parade in Brooklyn’s Coney Island is the place to dress up as your favorite mermaid or sea creature. Last year I was a spectator, but this year I may break out my fins and participate. For more info, read the article below, and visit The Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

Hope to see you there!

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The 2008 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island

Carla — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:42:29 +0000

On the first Saturday of Summer, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is the annual art parade that welcomes the season. After posting 24 blog posts within 24 hours for The Great Blog Off (try something like 24 in 14 hours), I happily treated myself to the spectacle, which did not disappoint.

I could write a lot about the event, I suppose, but I think I’d prefer to let the photos tell the tale:

Coney Island’s Famous Hand-Painted Signs

Coney Island’s Boardwalk featuring The Cyclone (and Mermaids)

Lovely Mermaids

A “Floating” Mermaid

After spending a few hours at the parade, I went to Coney Island Beach to get some sun.

Beach Fun – NYC style

As hot as the day was, you’d never believe how cold this water was on the 1st Saturday of Summer!!!

Me and a thousand of my closest friends on Coney Island!

Brought to you by the Music Marketing Machine Course: July 16 – August 6, 2008 in NYC

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The Great Blog Off: That’s All Folks!

Carla — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:30:00 +0000

So I made it through the Great Blog Off marathon of 2008. In real time, it is now June 20th at 2:40pm, but I’m scheduling this post for June 21st 12:30am NY time.

If you are reading this in real time, I should be sleeping now, dreaming of mermaids and tomorrow’s Mermaid Parade.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Thanks for stopping by!

Love,
Carla

Brought to you by the Music Marketing Machine Course: July 16 – August 6, 2008 in NYC

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Great Blog Off Status

Carla — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:00:07 +0000

So I’m blogging like a beaver today for the Great Blog Off, the annual blogging event that marks the longest day of the year and the first day of summer with a blogging marathon.

As I’m not playing by the official rules, I’ve chosen to pre-post, but even so, this is still quite the endeavor.

For one thing, I totally forgot that the June 20th Blog Off was right around the corner, and I didn’t start banking posts like I had intended. In fact, I started writing my first Blog Off post at midnight, just like everyone else. I started programming my posts at that point so I could get some sleep, and I started up again this morning when I got up.

I’m happy to say that I’ve almost earned the right to a nap. Two more posts, and I will have completed 24 blog posts in 24 hours. In real time, it is now June 20th at 1:43pm. By the time you read this, it will be posted on June 20th at 10pm. With any luck, I’ll be either hanging with friends, or maybe even sleeping. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s Mermaid Parade, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to Coney Island with a writing hangover! But I’m kinda proud that I got this far!

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Brought to you by the Music Marketing Machine Course: July 16 – August 6, 2008 in NYC

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Make Music New York 2008

Carla — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:00:50 +0000

Make Music NY

Make Music New York is NYC’s largest music event, with 850 free concerts on streets, sidewalks and parks, all on the first day of summer. Time Out New York has partnered with MMNY to create an awesome summer event which will feature musicians playing in NYC everywhere.

I originally planned to perform in Make Music New York this year, until I realized that the Coney Island Mermaid Parade was going to be held the same day. I have been wanting to see the Mermaid Parade for years, and here’s my chance. I’ll bring my camera, and send photos.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

But if you’re in NYC, enjoy all the music that NYC has to offer. Happy Summer!

Brought to you by the Music Marketing Machine Course: July 16 – August 6, 2008 in NYC

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