Mermaid Parade

Elaine Norman's hand-colored photos of the Mermaid Parade along with "Coney Island Bard" Amos Wengler's original song capture the heart of this joyous bacanal.

To hear more stories from Coney Island and around New York City go to http://www.cityofmemory.org

The Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events. It 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 characterised by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, and old Coney Island postcard or amusement rides; the parade also includes antique cars, marching bands, drill teams , and the odd yacht pulled on a flatbed. From 1903 to 1954, Coney Island celebrated Mardi Gras; the Mermaid Parade, founded in 1983, commemorates that celebration.

These hand-colored photographs were created by photographer Elaine Norman, a participant in the parade since its inception. The music is by the "Coney Island Bard" Amos Wengler. The Mermaid Parade was created by Dick Zigun and Coney Island USA in 1983.

This year's Mermaid Parade is Saturday June 20th at 2PM find out more at: http://www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• Coney Island
• Mermaid Parade
• parade
• brooklyn
• new york
• nyc
• new york city
• tradition
• mermaid
• city of memory
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• city lore