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Coney Island's Mermaid Parade Will Return To Dry Land In September
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 17, 2021
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Scott Lynch / Gothamist
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 17, 2021
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After being put on virtual lockdown in 2020 due to the pandemic, the beloved Coney Island Mermaid Parade is coming back in the flesh this year. Start getting your best Pirates Of Penzance cosplay outfit together, because the 39th Annual Mermaid Parade will take place on Sunday, September 12th. We're so happy, we just had a flashback to Mayor Bill de Blasio's first year in office.
Were we ever this young? Mayor Bill de Blasio and family dressed up for the Mermaid Parade in 2014
Unlike in previous years, when it mostly took place in June, this year's parade will mark the end of summer—it will be the last day the beach will be open with lifeguards on duty.
The festivities will kick off at 1 p.m. on West 21st and Surf Avenue, proceed on Surf Avenue to West 10th, then head south to the Boardwalk and west back to its ending point at Steeplechase Plaza on the Boardwalk.
Playwright Lynn Nottage and filmmaker Tony Gerber will serve as this years Queen Mermaid and King Neptune.
Organizers previously said they were hopeful that they'd be able to put on the parade this year. They add that they are "committed to following all COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our participants and spectators." You can get more info about registration and safety measures here.
This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo lifted a majority of New York's coronavirus restrictions and safety measures now that 70% of adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The parade, which was started in 1983, has taken place every year on Surf Avenue and the boardwalk until 2020. Last summer, it was held virtually and billed as a TAIL-A-THON.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park in Coney Island reopened April 9th, for the first time since October 19th, 2019.
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parades
coney island
mermaid parade
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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