RAIN? WHAT RAIN?

Forecast for 24th Annual Mermaid Parade: 100% Chance of Mermaids; 110% Chance of Fun!
Parade and Parade Goers Undeterred by Uncooperative Weather.

Rain early the morning of the Parade was a poor portent; A tropical system off the coast of the Carolinas created the threat of storms the entire week leading up to the Parade. Would the storm head north and drench the Parade? Or head south and spare the Mermaids? The answer was “neither” as the system just sort of sat there, occasionally spitting on Coney Island, reducing the turnout, but not the fun of the 2006 Mermaid Parade!

With masses still registering to get in at 2 PM, the Permanently Unelected Mayor of Coney Island, recent newlywed, and brand new member of the Coney Island Development Corporation, Dick D. Zigun, led off the parade at 2 PM, banging his own drum. He was accompanied by his tantalizing mermaid assistant and the Samba New York marching band. Through the shpritz and sprinkle, Dick led his followers - Mermaids, Neptunes, Sea Creatures, Marching Groups, Bands and other aquatic and nautical creations - down the Boardwalk and around the parade route, until they all posed under the watchful eye of the judges at the Reviewing Stand.

Once again this year, there were terrific floats, such as a Tigris and Euphrates Riverboat, a Native American Mermaid Princess and the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. There was a band that drowned; a float made out of Origami; and Mermaids from London, England! Joe and Jennifer got married at the Reviewing Stand. And even India, who celebrated her 8th Birthday Party at last year’s parade, came back again to Celebrate her 9th with us!

Chris T, now of Sirus Satellite Radio (on the reviewing stand), and Brooklyn’s own Beloved Karaoke Lady, Kay Sera (on the street), did their best to describe, interact with, and interpret some of the strange things that passed by the exceptionally full and rowdy reviewing stand. Chief Justice Mark Alhadeff did an excellent job bringing together disparate opinions into the cohesive selection of winners; regrettably, his hand writing was unreadable and the identities of many of the winners may never be certain. Bambi the Mermaid was regal and gracious as Queen. She was accompanied by her King Neptune, director Abel Ferrara (King of New York and Bad Lieutenant), and Little Jimmy on his motor scooter, filling in as Lucky Diamond Rich, Jr.

Finally, after hurriedly rushing through the awards ceremony, our Mayor began his trek to the ocean, leading our Royalty and escorted by the Hungry March Band. Our Queen cut through ribbons representing the seasons! Our Mayor was seized by the sprits and called on the weather to hold! And as the Queen cut through the ribbon representing Summer, fruit flew into the ocean! The Great Key opened the Ocean for Swimming. The temperature in the Thermometer went up, up, up! The King and Queen danced in the surf! And as Mermaids and Neptunes rejoiced in the surf, bobbing cantaloupes, apples and bananas, the heavens opened and the rain came down. Another Mermaid Parade had come and gone!

Escaping the rain, revelers headed to Velocity for the 5th Annual Mermaid Parade Ball, the official afterparty of the Mermaid Parade!

DJ One Mic, Marina, Future in Plastics and Les Sans Culottes set the musical tone and Adam Rinn, Todd Robbins, Little Brooklyn, Creamy Stevens and Tigger provided live entertainment. There was dancing, tattoo painting, photography and people selling candied apples! Upstairs the VIPs were treated to Lanson Champagne and Wine Cellar Sorbet as they watched the proceedings below.

What a day! It only happens once a year… and next year, it will be happening on June 23. We'll see you all there!