Coney Island Mermaid Parade This Afternoon

2007 Mermaid Parade, by ktempest at flickr

This afternoon (2 p.m.) is Coney Island's annual Mermaid Parade, which is the semi-official start of summer for many New Yorkers. It's generally one of the most joyous occasions one can come across in the five boroughs, so let's hope it doesn't take on a funereal tone considering the possible destruction of the boardwalk in its present state.

Mermaid Queen Savitri D. will commence a hunger strike this evening. She'll refrain from eating until the Community Board meeting on June 24th, where the future direction of Coney Island will be called into question; i.e. is the future going to be more sideshow carnie or glossy amusement park? If any readers make it to the annual Mermaid Parade and get pictures of the event, don't forget to upload them to flickr and tag them "gothamist" so they can be featured later. Or one can email them directly to tips@gothamist.com.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dave Hogarty in News on June 21, 2008 10:20 AM

Comments [rss]

sonyactivision

With that "Mermaid" theme, how can anyone not expect a few trannies? They're mostly harmless, except for the ones who go as chocolate starfish.

Kevin Walsh

Oh, there were plenty half naked hot chicks.

www.forgotten-ny.com

blablanyc

The parade was great. I can't wait to rock it again next year.

babyhitler

they should change the name of the parade to "Is that a tranny? No, that's a tranny. The other one just looked mannish, parade" Seriously, was just there. The people were great, but if you thought it was a parade with half naked hot chicks you will be seriously dissapointed. There was this awesome marching band but this attention whore tranny fucked it up too.

GOP

Thanks for the clarification, hipster dave.

Dave Hogarty

I'm going to have to disagree with you there [2]. Have you ever been to the parade? I've been to several Mermaid Parades and I'd describe the crowds as very socially heterogeneous. And unless you think your child will be psychologically scarred by exposure to mild public nudity, it's even pretty family friendly.

GOP

"semi-official start of summer for many New Yorkers"

replace "many" with "hipster" for more accurate journalism. Thanks!

blablanyc

I can't wait. I love the Mermaid Parade. I don't believe the tone at the parade will be so bad. Since CUSA bought the building on West 12th Street and Surf Avenue it guarantees more Mermaid Parades for the future.