The Coney Island Mermaid Parade gives mermaids and mermen a chance to let it all hang out, well almost all.
It’s a fun parade. This is New York City, so you will see some amazing costumes. It’s appropriate for some families, but not all families. You decide what’s right for you and your family.
37th Annual Mermaid Parade 2019
Things get fishy on Surf Avenue and the boardwalk of Coney Island, Brooklyn on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 1pm.
#mermaidparade #mermaidparade2019
Register to March by Wednesday, June 19
2019 Mermaid Parade Route
- Surf Avenue from 20th St to 10th St
- 10th St from Surf Ave to the Boardwalk
- The Boardwalk from 10th St to the Pier
- Parade disbands at Steeplechase Plaza
The reviewing stand is on Surf Avenue at 19th St. Chris T is “The Voice of the Mermaid Parade.”
2019 Mermaid Parade Time
The Mermaid Parade starts at 1pm, but you should arrive at 10 or 11 am for the best viewing.
Most of Coney Island becomes a huge traffic jam around Parade time. Surf Avenue gets full NYPD security, so leave extra time.
2019 Mermaid Parade Honorees
King Neptune is U.S. folk singer Arlo Guthrie. Queen Mermaid is Nora Guthrie. They are the children of Woody Guthrie who is remembered for his song This Land is Your Land (1944).
Mermaid Parade Ball
The Mermaid Parade After Party is at Kitchen 21 Rooftop in Brooklyn from 5-11pm. 21+ $25
Visit the Mermaid Parade
Families
Families do enjoy the Parade and some families even march. But some mermaids don’t wear many clothes and there are mermen too. It’s your decision whether this is appropriate for your family.
You can be a Judge
It’s New York City, so anything goes for moolah. For $200, you can get a seat in the viewing stand and be a Mermaid Parade Judge.
Photographers
There is a photographer staging area photo pass. Mermaids will pose for your photos before they enter the line of march.
It’s $40 in advance online, and $50 on the day of.
The only press pass that works here is an NYPD one.
Best Place to Watch the Mermaid Parade
A lot of this depends on when you arrive and how long you are willing to wait around for.
You have to be on Surf Avenue to see the antique cars and motorized floats. Expect Times Square New Years Eve style security. If you are going to stand, be prepared to stand around for a few hours without going to the bathroom.
The beach-side of Surf Avenue gets locked down. If you want to leave early, make it easier to back to your transportation by staying on the north side of Surf Avenue, away from the beach.
Hope to see Mexican lake mermaids La Tlanchana or the Acapaxapo.
Latin Mermaids
Mermaid is “La Sirena” (the siren) in Spanish. In Greek mythology, singing sirens lured sailors to their death by shipwreck. It’s a negative anima figure (female aspect), yet mermaids only turn men’s own weakness against them.
The Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Little Mermaid (1836) is a positive anima figure. She gives up her life in the sea to become human.
Christopher Columbus reported seeing mermaids on his second voyage to the Americas.
Yemayá, is the queen of the seas in Yoruba (Nigeria), Santería (Cuba) and Condomblé (Brazil) religions. She is often represented as a mermaid.
La Tlanchana is a Mexican mermaid from the lakes and rivers in Metepec, Toluca and Lerma near Mexico City. Mexican mermaid traditions go back to the Aztecs.
36th Annual Mermaid Parade 2018
The 36th Annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, Brooklyn is on Saturday, June 22, 2018 at 1 pm.
Queen Mermaid is Amanda Palmer.
King Neptune is Neil Gaiman.
Kitchen 21 co-presents. Kitchen 21 is the rooftop lounge and bar that recently opened on top of the landmark Childs Restaurant building.
2018 Mermaid Parade Route
The Parade
- Starts on Surf Ave West 21st St
- Turns to the beach at West 10th St
- Walks up the Boardwalk to Steeplechase Plaza
2018 Mermaid Parade Time
The Parade starts at 1 pm, rain or shine.
Arrive 2 – 3 hours Early
Good spots go early and Coney Island becomes a traffic jam around Parade time, so plan to arrive 2 – 3 hours early (or more) for the best spots.
March in the 2018 Mermaid Parade
Anyone can march in the Mermaid Parade, but this is New York. There is a fee of about $15 – $30 for marchers and more for floats and vehicles.
Marcher rates are $5 more on the day of and cash only.
Check in / Registration is on Surf Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets from 10 am – 1 pm.
For more information, visit www.coneyisland.com