Photos By: Anne Secor, Bruce Cotler, Joe Koppelman, Samantha Cotler. Story By: Emily Cotler
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Coney Island, New York, 41st Mermaid Parade, The largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 1,500 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. , Queen, Laurie Cumbo, New York Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
Eclectic revelers returned for the 2023 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island Saturday. The Brooklyn institution- which turned 40 this year- is typically the true mark of the start of summer for locals.
Noteworthy this year, however, is the lack of a King Neptune- the character who marks the end of the parade with his Mermaid Queen. Rapper Kool Keith was set to dress up as the titular God of the Sea; as the Neptune float passed, it was evident that the character was missing, while Mermaid Queen and NYC Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Laurie Cumbo rode solo. No reason was acknowledged for his absence from the float.
Despite the absence of such an event staple, it was evident that parade-goers were not dissuaded, celebrating in force. Several individuals were dressed in the likeness of Neptune, which meant the character’s presence was not entirely absent. In spite of the heat, turn out was high this year, with no shortage of other colorful characters.
Predating the official beginning of summer by several days, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade rang in New York City summer in its own unique way.