Sea of love: Scenes from Saturday’s joyous Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The summertime celebration made its triumphant return for the 40th time after two Covid-canceled years

Coney Island was stuffed to the gills Saturday as thousands of sea creatures of every description—magical, mysterious, sexy, playful, punny, terrifying—descended upon Surf Avenue and the famous boardwalk for the 40th annual Mermaid Parade, the first since 2019.

“Everyone is bringing it harder than ever,” said Bunny Love, who traveled up from New Orleans for this, her 31st Mermaid Parade. “It’s really great, I’ve missed it terribly. Look at this wonderful celebration out here, of life and love and individuality and beauty.”

Massive crowds lined the street. Artist, performer, and trans activist Mx Justin Vivian Bond, and former New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A Chokshi performed their duties as Queen Mermaid and King Neptune (basically: waving from their carriage) with style and grace.

Bond, left, and Chokshi (Scott Lynch)

And Dick Zigun, the Permanently Unelected Mayor of Coney Island and creator of the original Mermaid Parade in 1983, stepped off with the first group at around 1:15 p.m.

‘Mayor’ Zigun (Scott Lynch)

“It’s important to be back in the streets,” he told Brooklyn Magazine. “The Mermaid Parade is all about New York City artists’ swagger. We want to do it big, we want to do it colorful, we want to do it loud.”

A lot of that swagger, and loudness, came via the multiple marching bands, which kept the crowd jumping all afternoon, including the Brass Queens and the “Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line,” Fogo Azul. Kristen Tivey, who lives in Ditmas Park, played sax for another perennial Mermaid favorite, the L Train Brass Band. “This is my first Mermaid Parade!” she said. “I’m really excited, dressing up was really fun, and look at it! It’s incredible! We go on vibes only from here on out.”

Fogo Azul (Scott Lynch)

Many revelers were part of large, themed groups—like the pro-abortion Save Roe and the campy Golden Gills—who also busted out dance routines along the route. The Mermaid Parade falls on the weekend before the New York City Pride March, and as such there’s always a large, exuberant LGBTQ+ presence here as well. Costumes ranged from the half-assed (but fun) to, more often, the jaw-droppingly elaborate (and even more fun).

The Tails of Glory do their ‘Golden Gills’ (Scott Lynch)

“This costume is three years in the making so I’m really excited I’m finally able to wear it,” said Kensington resident Claire Coquette about her black, spiny outfit. “Salvador Dali did a pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, called Dream of Venus, and he had mermaids in tanks, and this is one of the mermaids.”

Dali-esque: Claire Coquette (Scott Lynch)

Even the un-costumed spectators got into the spirit. “I feel beautiful right now,” said Coney Island local Shirley Aikens. “It’s a blessing just to have everyone back. I’ve been living right here for like 40 years and I’ve been coming to the parade every year since then. Seeing everybody dressed up, and seeing people smiling and laughing and just having a great time … I am just thrilled.”

Here are more scenes from the day: