Celebrate the official start of summer at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade this weekend
Image via Flickr
The 37th annual Mermaid Parade kicks off in Coney Island this Saturday, signaling the official start of the summer season. Celebrated as the largest “art parade” in the country, the festive lineup features marching bands, drill teams, floats, antique cars and some 1,500 participants dressed in handmade costumes of mermaids, sea creatures, and mythical figures. This year, Coney Island natives Arlo Guthrie & Nora Guthrie—who both grew up on Mermaid Avenue—will lead the way as Queen Mermaid and King Neptune. Per tradition, they’ll be wheeled through in an antique wicker Boardwalk Rolling Chair dating back to 1923.
 Image courtesy of Coney Island USA
Organized by the nonprofit Coney Island USA, the parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. It starts at West 21st and Surf Avenue and proceeds on Surf Avenue to West 10th before heading south to the Boardwalk, then west to its ending point at Steeplechase Plaza on the Boardwalk.
The Department of Transportation has noted the following street closures on Saturday from 1 p.m to 5 p.m.:
Formation
- West 21st Street between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
- West 22nd Street between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
- West 23rd Street between Surf Avenue and Dead End
- Surf Avenue between West 21st Street and West 24th Street
Route
- Surf Avenue between West 21st Street and West 10th Street
- West 10th Street between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
Festival
- Stillwell Avenue between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
If you’re heading to the parade, avoid the heavy traffic around Coney Island by taking the D, F, N, or Q trains. Check out the latest service updates here.
