Coney Events: Coney Island Mermaid Parade June 19th, 2010

Coney Island's biggest and most cultural extravaganza rolls down Surf Avenue, June 19th with King Neptune Lou Reed and Queen Mermaid Laurie Anderson.  If it weren't for Coney Island USA and the Mermaid Parade, perhaps Coney Island would've never survived its comatose years.

All the times and registration information can be found at the Coney Island USA website:

Coney Island – The 28th Annual MERMAID PARADE will step off at 2pm on Saturday, June 19, 2010. This years parade features King Neptune Lou Reed and Queen Mermaid Laurie Anderson.

The MERMAID PARADE is an annual production of Coney Island USA, Brooklyn’s resident non-profit arts organization at the beach since 1980. Coney Island USA also produces Sideshows by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum.  The Mermaid Parade officially opens the ocean for summer swimming, teaches mythology to Brooklyn families, provides self-esteem for Coney Island and artistic self-expression for the New York City arts community.  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.

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 6pm - 11:30pm the 8th annual Mermaid Parade Ball, the official after- party of The Mermaid Parade will take place at the New York Aquarium's Oceanic Deck, 608 Surf Ave. at West 8th Street.

Registration and additional information are available at: www.coneyisland.com

Images courtesy of Norman Blake