Mermaid Parade 2010

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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