The Mermaid Parade returns to the Coney Island boardwalk this Saturday for its 44th year, bringing its annual sea-themed celebration back to Brooklyn’s shoreline. Hosted by Coney Island USA, the event is the nation’s biggest art parade, drawing around 5,000 participants in handmade sea-themed costumes and floats. This year’s parade takes place on Saturday, June 20, at 1 p.m., rain or shine.
Founded by Coney Island USA in 1983, the Mermaid Parade is often described as the unofficial start to summer in New York City. It pays homage to the neighborhood’s early 20th-century Mardi Gras parades and draws on themes from ancient mythology and seaside rituals, highlighting the city’s creativity and community pride, as 6sqft previously reported.
Known to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators, the parade features colorful costumes and floats, along with marching bands, drill teams, dancers, antique cars and more.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, proceeds east to West 10th Street, then turns south to the boardwalk before continuing west to Steeplechase Plaza.
This year, New York-based musician Jesse Malin and two-time Grammy Award winner Rickie Lee Jones will serve as King Neptune and Queen Mermaid. As part of the tradition, the pair will be wheeled through the parade in an antique wicker boardwalk chair dating to 1923.
Previous King Neptunes and Queen Mermaids have included Lou Reed, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Annabella Sciorra, Harvey and Daphne Keitel, and other famous figures.
“Our King and Queen this year are two exceptionally talented musicians,” Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director, said. “Our King, Jesse Malin is not only an amazing songwriter and musician who’s toured the world, he’s the king of New York nightlife and a true inspiration! And Rickie Lee Jones, what can I say, iconic, legendary, and influential are just a few words to describe our Queen.”
Immediately after the parade at 4 p.m., Rinn will lead the King and Queen in a procession to the beach at 19th Street, where they will officially open the beach for the summer swimming season.
Parade registration takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot between West 21st and West 22nd Streets along Surf Avenue. Learn more about the Mermaid Parade here.
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