New York was Awash in Mermaids
I just discovered that I missed out on an exciting and fun annual event this last weekend called the Mermaid Parade. This unique event was held on June 19th at Coney Island in New York. The Mermaid Parade is an eclectic and colorful mix of people, costumes, and imaginative visual art.
The parade is a Coney Island traditional that started in 1983 by a local arts organization called Coney Island USA. The participants this year ranged from the Street Urchins to synchronized swimmers dressed as mermaids. In case you were wondering, yes, the Street Urchins were mermaids complete with their spiny covered aquatic urchin counterparts. Parade attendees also included mermaid families and barely dressed mermaid women in tutus.
Normally, the tone of the event is one of lighthearted fun, but this year there was a more serious message being delivered. Event organizers highlighted the real danger ocean life is facing in the Gulf of Mexico right now. Many attendees even carried signs chastising BP and bringing awareness to the current plight of the ocean. While the parade did have a serious note this year it was still the same unique, fun, and wacky parade it’s been for the last 27 years. The parade even ended with a Mermaid Ball that was, appropriately, held at The New York Aquarium.
The only thing missing from the parade were the Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Believe It Tour was lucky enough to meet the mermaids during the 2008 tour when the tour group was at Weeki Wachee Springs in FL. Maybe next year the Weeki Wachee Mermaids can put in an appearance at the parade.