At the Mermaid Parade, scores of sexy, scary, sweaty sea creatures strut their stuff

In spite of a heat wave, thousands turned out for a scorcher of a parade, an annual tradition in Coney Island

The temperature was climbing past 90 degrees on Saturday afternoon when the 42nd annual Mermaid Parade kicked off along Surf Avenue at around 1 p.m. Led by King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, the Mermaid Parade marks the unofficially official start of summer in a display of maritime mayhem.

Since 1983, mermaids, mermen and mer-them have come from all corners of the city to Coney Island in elaborately designed DIY costumes to participate in one of Brooklyn’s most inclusive, fun and freaky days. The theme this year was all things celestial and outer space. Painter and sideshow historian Joe Coleman and photographer Whitney Ward — both Coney Island icons and and a married couple in real life — were crowned this year’s parade king and queen.

Joe Coleman and Whitney Ward as this year’s King Neptune and Queen Mermaid (Photo by Scott Lynch)

And while the sweltering weather may have kept the sideline spectating crowds down to a more-manageable-than-usual number — you could grab prime spots on the barricades even after the parade had started this year — there was certainly no shortage of revelers willing to march and dance their way down Surf Avenue and up onto the historic Coney boardwalk.

Photo by Scott Lynch

“I love Mermaid because it welcomes everyone to participate,” East Village resident Marie Suchan told Brooklyn Magazine. “This is going to sound cheesy but, we’re all part of the ocean, we’re all part of the community of the ocean world, and all sea monsters, all fish, all merfolk are welcome here.”

More than a dozen marching bands — including a huge contingent from the indefatigable Fogo Azul samba drumline — kept the party jumping for nearly three hours and, of course, the costumes were incredible, an outrageous display of all manner of sea (and space) creature. And, as has become custom in recent years, the Mermaid Parade also functions as an additional great Brooklyn Pride event.

Photo by Scott Lynch

“I was trying to give Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill, but if she were a pirate mermaid,” said Coney Island resident Maxim. “It’s hot, it’s June, they’re trying to take away our rights in this country and around the world so I might as well be sexy in their face. I was born and raised in South Brooklyn. I’m here today, and I couldn’t be happier to help create a queer space. Everyone’s so colorful and showing off their bodies and being sexy and fun. It feels gayer here than the actual NYC Pride Parade. It’s amazing.”

Photo by Scott Lynch

In addition to all LGBTQ+ rights messaging, there were also several ocean conservation/anti-plastic groups as well as at least three Free Palestine protest crews, one of which, SeaFolx for Seacefire, featured a roving rock band who at one point got all of Surf Avenue dancing with a rousing cover of Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go!”

Here are some more scenes from this year’s Mermaid Parade.