Mermaid Parade
Every year in Coney Island, New York, on the Saturday closest to June 21, the arrival of summer is celebrated on the streets of COney Island with an incredible and surreal parade: the Mermaid Parade.
In reality, the parade is an opportunity for thousands of people to celebrate the ancient mythologies and honky-tonk rituals of the sea, in an artistic way, with a spirit of belonging to the New York community, and obviously a pinch of eccentricity.
This parade has existed since 1983, conceptualized and organized by Dick Zi-gun, founder of the Coney Island USA association, nicknamed the mayor of Coney Island.
Joining the relative is somewhat surreal. Yes, from the journey on the subway, in which you meet hundreds of people disguised as mermaids, tritons and sea monsters, you are catapulted into a sort of sea-themed summer carnival.
Upon arrival at Coney Island, reality is completely diverted to a modern “Neverland” where colors, music and celebrations are the background to the rest of the funfair which is obviously crowded with people. You turn around and see feet dangling from the rotating carousel, hands raised and shouts of fun come from the roller coaster. Policemen and ladies in blue suits complete with umbrella. All while old colorful Cadillacs, motorcycles, bicycles and people on foot move at a walking pace from east to west on Surf Avenue.