The Mermaid Parade
Today we’re going to look at a local community event that takes place in Coney Island, NY once a year: the Mermaid Parade.
Coney Island Mardi Gras
According to the event’s page at coneyisland.com, the Mermaid Parade was “founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow” and “pays homage to Coney Island’s forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954.”
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
I attended this parade about 6 years ago, when Moby led the parade as King Neptune. Last year, King Neptune Lou Reed and Queen Mermaid Laurie Anderson presided. The floats and the participants are a lot of fun – everyone dresses up in Mermaid (or Mermen), or at least some sort of sea-inspired, attire. The floats and the costumes all seem homemade and the event has a small town vibe even though it is taking place in a huge city. Despite the rock and roll and the flamboyant costumes (and sometimes lack of costumes) you feel transported back to another time and place – it’s strange, it’s fun, it’s friendly – it’s the Mermaid Parade!
Coney Island – Things To Do
The parade is always in June, this year the parade was held on June 18th. It is an excellent excuse to head down to Coney Island if you’re a local who hasn’t been there in a while. If you’re a tourist planning to visit New York in June – it is just one more reason to hop on the subway and devote at least half a day to this historic, fun (and a bit freaky) location. Don’t forget to visit Nathan’s hot dog concession stand and get a hot dog, take a ride on the nerve-wracking Wonder Wheel (it’s old, it’s creaky, and you’re in cage…), and the freak show is also worth every penny of admission. There is also a Coney Island Museum you can check out and, if you plan things right, you can attend one of their movie nights upstairs. We saw The Night of the Living Dead which is one of my favorites. On July 9th this year they are showing Rock and Roll High School – what an excellent venue to see a movie starring the Ramones.
Luna Park, Coney Island
The amusement park at Coney Island, Luna Park, is home to the above-mentioned Wonder Wheel as well as the famous Coney Island Cyclone rollercoaster.
Here’s a view from the front seat of the Cyclone:
Stay tuned for another Concession Obsession later this month, where we feature our favorite concession foods. Check out our most recent feature, an ode to ice cream sandwiches, if you missed it. Check out www.customconcessions.com to start your own concession business.
