The Mermaid Parade is an annual celebration held in
Coney Island that commemorates the the beginning of the summer season and pays homage to New York City's defunct Mardi Gras festivities. Blanketed in an oceanic theme, the Mermaid Parade traditionally draws over one thousand participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. Costumed revelers, antique vehicles, marching bands and various other sights generally make up the parade body.
Along with the actual parade, a celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid are appointed to officially open the ocean front for the summer swimming season. There is also a Mermaid Parade Ball held after the parade. The ball gives parade participants the chance to keep the fun going with live music, sideshow acts and other entertainment options that are uniquely Coney Island.
