The 29th Annual MERMAID PARADE Kicks Off June 18

The 29th Annual MERMAID PARADE will step off at 2pm on Saturday, June 18, 2011. This years King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are Brooklyn native Adam Richman from the Travel Channel's Man V. Food and Cat Greenleaf from the New York Emmy Award winning television show, Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf.

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. 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. And for the first time in parade history, we are expecting an appearance by a helium balloon along the route.

Over the years the Mermaid Parade has grown into the largest event of the year at Coney Island and it is also one of the ten biggest parades annually in New York City.

The assembly sites and route are as follows: PEOPLE AND PUSH/PULL FLOATS assemble at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue. ANTIQUE AUTOS will assemble at West 19th Street and Surf Avenue. MOTORIZED FLOATS will assemble at West 20th Street at Surf Avenue.
At 2pm sharp the parade will step off at West 21st and Surf and march east down Surf Avenue; past the Judge's Review Stand at West 12th Street then turn up West 10th Street (near the world famous Cyclone Roller Coaster and Luna Park) to the Boardwalk where the parade will continue West on the Boardwalk itself to the dismissal point at Stillwell Avenue.

Immediately after the parade, approximately 5:30pm; the parade concludes with a Ribbon Cutting Pageant on the beach south of West 10th Street.

From 7pm - 11:30pm, the 9th annual Mermaid Parade Ball, the official after- party of The Mermaid Parade will take place at the New York Aquarium's Oceanic Deck and Aqua Theater, 608 Surf Ave. at West 8th Street.

Parade Registration, Advance Ball Tickets and additional information are available at: www.coneyisland.com

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