Calling all Mermaids: Your Parade Is This Weekend in Coney Island

By now you may know that I love Coney Island. I especially love the Mermaid Parade. So here’s the full press release from Coney Island USA! And if you’re looking for some tasty things eat while you’re out there, check out these food secrets from Coney Island’s Mayor, Dick Zigun! ~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City

Meet me at the Mermaid Parade! © Norman Blake [all rights reserved]

CONEY ISLAND USA PRESENTS: THE 2016 MERMAID PARADE SET FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 18 Hailey Clauson and Carlo A. Scissura to serve as Queen Mermaid, King Neptune ——–

Merpeople © Norman Blake [all rights reserved]

Coney Island USA’s 34th Annual Mermaid Parade will begin at 1pm on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The parade starts at the corner of West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, and proceeds east on Surf Avenue to West 10th Street, where it turns south to the Boardwalk, and then north back to Steeplechase Plaza, where it concludes.

The Mermaid Parade is a unique and artistic celebration of ancient mythology and the honky-tonk seaside ritual that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the amusement district. The parade features marching bands, drill teams, floats, antique cars and some 1,500 participants dressed in hand-made costume of mermaids, sea creatures, amusement rides and neptunes. It is the largest art parade in the nation and the largest event of the year in Coney Island. Queen Mermaid, Hailey Clauson, is an American Supermodel born and raised in California. She is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model for 2016 and has appeared on numerous global magazine covers and advertising campaigns.

King Neptune, Carlo A. Scissura, is the President and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since September 2012. The Brooklyn Chamber is one of New York’s largest business advocacy and economic development organizations, with over 2,100 members, and under Carlo’s leadership, its membership has grown by more than 200 percent. ‎Born and raised in Bensonhurst, Carlo is a lifelong Brooklyn resident and he has been an advocate for the borough his entire career. ‎He currently lives in Dyker Heights with his daughter Teresa Rose.

According to tradition, Queen Mermaid and King Neptune will be wheeled through the parade in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair, that dates back to 1923.

Opening The Ocean (Photo by Norman Blake)

“The Mermaid Parade has always been first to welcome new partners to a diverse Coney Island Community, be it the avant garde, celebrities or a new mayoral family… In 2016 the Mermaid Parade is working with Live Nation, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce & Sports Illustrated to bring national acts and even greater media attention to Coney Island. We are thrilled to have Hailey as Queen Mermaid and Carlo as King Neptune!”, said Coney Island USA and Parade founder Dick Zigun, who is known as the Mayor of Coney Island.

Immediately after the parade, at approximately 4 pm, Dick Zigun leads the King and Queen procession from the reviewing stand on West 20th Street through the MCU Park Parking Lot, to the beach for the Opening of the Ocean, for the summer swimming season.

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

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