2010 Mermaid Parade is Saturday, June 19th, 2PM!


2009 Wrap Up! Another Great Parade! Thanks to all who participated, our sponsors, our volunteers
and to our King Neptune Mr Harvey Keitel and his Queen Mermaid Daphna! See you in 2010!

See pics and videos (and post your own) from the 2009 Parade!

Official 2009 Mermaid Parade Award Winners!

2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Mermaid Parade Poster SPECIAL! only $15 each shipped!

MERMAID PARADE 2009 T-SHIRTS
ONLY $25, INCLUDES SHIPPING AND HANDLING!

Mens T-shirt Click here to buy.


Ladies T-shirt. Click here to buy.

2009 Mermaid Parade is Saturday, June 20th, 2PM! Rain or Shine!
King Neptune Mr. Harvey Keitel and his Queen Mermaid Daphna

View Mermaid Parade Route in a larger map

* The Parade will now start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue
* The Parade will roll east to West 10th Street
* at West 10th Street the Parade will turn south towards the boardwalk
* cars and motorized floats can park on West 10th Street
* At the Boardwalk, the marchers and push-pull floats will turn west and head towards West 15th Street
* At West 15th Street the Parade will disband
The new route is much longer- about twice the size so please wear appropriate footwear for a long walk on the pavement.

Please note: Check In/Registration/Staging Area is at a new location!
PUSH PULL FLOATS AND MARCHERS will register at Surf Avenue and West 21st Street.
MOTORIZED FLOATS AND ANTIQUE CARS will register at Surf Ave. Side at West 19th and West 20th street.

Because West 21st Street is much narrower than our old staging area (West 10th Street), you will NO LONGER be able to PULL YOUR TRUCK OR VEHICLE to unload materials for assembling your push-pull cart or costume. But, DON’T WORRY- you will be able to assemble your cart in a secure location with vehicle access on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Street. You may then push you cart onto West 21st Street.

For your convenience, The Soup Shop and Peggy O’Neill's will both sell FOOD on West 21st Street inside the staging area. There will also be WATER available for purchase.

If you plan on driving to the parade, you may purchase parking in the expanded KeySpan parking lot- conveniently located on West 22nd Street and Surf Avenue.

The Mermaid Parade Ball 2009 at Dreamland Roller Rink!
Childs Building 3052 West 21st St at the boardwalk

The Ball will run in 2 skating sessions 5:30pm-8:30pm and 9pm-Midnight
$20 (skate rental $5 or bring your own)
DJ, Burlesque and Sideshow performances
Concession stand will be open, alcohol is prohibited
The first 100 guests who present their ticket stub from the 6/20 6:30pm Circus, will get $10 admission to the 9pm skate session.

About The Mermaid Parade

A completely original creation of Coney Island USA, the Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events. The parade is proud to have some incredible sponsors. Click here for answers to common questions.

Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow, the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of other sources resulting in a wonderful and wacky event that is unique to Coney Island.

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed.

Each year, a different celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid rule over the proceedings, riding in the Parade and assisting in the opening of the Ocean for the summer swimming season by marching down the Beach from the Boardwalk, cutting through Ribbons representing the seasons, and tossing fruit into the Atlantic to appease the Sea Gods. In the past, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Ron Kuby, Curtis Sliwa, Moby, and David Johansen have graced our shores, presiding over the assembled masses.

The Parade is followed by the Mermaid Parade Ball, a post-parade gathering where costumed parade participants can get together with each other and parade spectators to listen to live music, purchase raffle tickets, and watch burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City's hottest burlesque stars.

Come on out and join us on one of Coney Island's best days of the summer! We can't wait to see you there!

Thanks to all of those who watched and participated in the 2008 parade and ball! See pictures of the 2008 Parade here.