You have to know by now that I love Coney Island, and I love mermaids. So I’m very happy to share the latest news from Coney Island USA!
Opening Of The Ocean at Coney Island (Photo by Norman Blake-all rights reserved)
Coney Island USA’s 35th Annual Mermaid Parade will begin at 1 pm on Saturday, June 17, 2017. 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.
2017 Queen Mermaid Deborah Harry and King Neptune Chris Stein of Blondie (Photo by Guy Furrow-all rights reserved)
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.
Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, will serve as Queen Mermaid and King Neptune, the highest position of honor in the parade. 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.
![Mermaid, Photo by Norman Blake[all rights reserved]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f2fb81_72792cfa2a2e42eda3f9a22f9951889e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_53,h_75,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/f2fb81_72792cfa2a2e42eda3f9a22f9951889e~mv2.jpg)
Mermaid (Photo by Norman Blake-all rights reserved)
“We are in Rock & Roll heaven to announce Hall of Famers from BLONDIE: Deborah Harry as Queen Mermaid & Chris Stein as King Neptune” said Coney Island USA founder Dick Zigun, who is known as the Mayor of Coney Island and founder of The Mermaid Parade’s parent organization, Coney Island USA. “Our BLONDIE King Neptune and Queen Mermaid represent authentic NYC arts from East Village CBGB punk, to current cutting edge Coney Island.”
Immediately after the parade, at approximately 4 pm, Dick Zigun leads the King and Queen procession through the MCU Parking Lot, to the beach for the opening of the Ocean, for the summer swimming season.
Fans of the Mermaid Parade can lend support, with a new text fundraising campaign by texting “mermaid” to 71777, or going to www.coneyisland.com/feed
Parade Registration and additional information for the Parade are available at: www.coneyisland.com
The Mermaid Parade (Photo by Norman Blake-all rights reserved)