Coney Island USA has been closely monitoring the status of the current coronavirus outbreak and considers the safety of our supporters, patrons, employees and cast members of the utmost importance...read more
CONEY ISLAND USA'S COVID POLICY
Coney Island USA is committed to ensuring everyone’s safety. We will be following all New York State and Federal protocols in regards to the Coronavirus pandemic. By registering to particpate in the parade, you agree to follow the safety guidelines that will be in place come June 18th. We will be following and sharing them as we get closer. We reserve the right to ask any parade participant or spectator who does not follow protocol, to leave the premises.
A Detailed Parade Map is available
Check In/Registration - Check in/Registration for floats, antique cars, and marchers is in the parking lot on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets from 10am-1pm.
The line up for Floats and Antique Cars:
Floats line up on Surf Avenue between 24th street & 22nd street, Antique Cars line up on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets
Because West 21st Street is much narrower than our old staging area (West 10th Street), you will NOT 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 your cart on to West 21st Street.
Mermaid Parade Frequently Asked Questions.
About The Mermaid Parade:
A completely original creation of Coney Island USA (the not for profit arts organization at 1208 Surf Avenue), the Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events.
A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade highlights Coney Island Pageantry based on a century of many Coney parades, celebrates the artistic vision of the masses, and ensures that the summer season is a success by bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area in a single day.
The MERMAID PARADE specifically was founded in 1983 with 3 goals: it brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune ; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment”; and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public.
Unlike most parades, this one has no ethnic, religious, or commercial aims. It’s a major New York holiday invented by artists! An American version of the summer-solstice celebration, it takes pride of place with West African Water Festivals and Ancient Greek and Roman street theater. It's features participants dressed in hand-made costumes based on themes and categories set by us. This creates an artistic framework on which artists can improvise, resulting in the flourishing of frivolity, dedication, pride, and personal vision that has become how New York celebrates summer.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Counci
Sponsors
Coney Island USA has been closely monitoring the status of the current coronavirus outbreak and considers the safety of our supporters, patrons, employees and cast members of the utmost importance...read more
Join us for the World's Largest Art Parade!
We are currently seeking Sponsors for the 2022 Mermaid Parade. An annual event, the Parade draws over half-a-million young, hip tastemakers and we would love to give you an opportunity to get in front of them.
Email sponsor@coneyisland.com to learn more about Mermaid Parade sponsorship opportunities.
Be a judge at the 2022 Mermaid Parade and receive a coveted judge T Shirt, Review Stand Seating and Bribes! Judgeships start at the "Mermaid Parade Judge" level. Click here for info.
We rely on volunteers to help with the parade. Interested? Send an email to: mpvolunteers@gmail.com
Click here to see a list of every King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, of the Mermaid Parade!
