Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
The Mermaid Parade Kickstarter Needs Your Clams
By
Lauren Evans
Published May 8, 2013
Modified May 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Lauren Evans
Published May 8, 2013
Modified May 8, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Mermaid Parade is going to need to raise $100,000 in order for the 30-year Coney Island tradition to continue this summer. That nasty hag Sandy all but swallowed up the eclectic beachside community last October, delivering a thrashing that caused around $400,000 in damages to the parade's organizers, Coney Island USA, which also runs the freak show, a burlesque show, and the Coney Island Museum
The Kickstarter for the parade officially launched yesterday, and has already netted $26,465 from 538 backers.
Its accompanying media features endearing entreaties from several Coney Island personalities, including parade founder and "unofficial mayor of Coney Island," Dick Zigun, wearing his characteristic antique bathing costume, and a young boy decrying the mermaids as being "too naked."
"Don't come just for the cleavage," one sophisticate says in the video. "There's so much more to the Mermaid Parade." Watch the whole video below, and contribute to the cause yourself here.
Tagged
coney island
coney island usa
kickstarter
mermaid parade
sandy
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 12:55 p.m. ET
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .