The Mermaid Parade will march into the Coney Island sea on June 18
Coney Island
Parade starts at West 21st St. & Surf Ave., free, 2:00
After-party: New York Aquarium, $25, 7:00 – 11:30 pm
www.coneyisland.com
Whether you’re marching in it or just playing spectator, there is nothing quite like the Mermaid Parade. An annual tradition since 1983, harkening back to the Coney Island Mardi Gras, which was held from 1903 to 1954, the parade begins with classic antique cars before giving itself over to scantily clad sea creatures and very strange floats, making their way from West 21st St. & Surf Ave. at 2:00 and winding east to West 10th St., turning south to the boardwalk, and heading to Stillwell Ave., where King Neptune and Queen Mermaid will lead their minions into the sea. This year’s regal pair, following in the footsteps of such famed New Yorkers as David Byrne, Roz Chast, Harvey Keitel, Queen Latifah, David Johansen, and Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson, are the Travel Channel’s Adam Richman and Talk Stoop’s awesome Cat Greenleaf. The Mermaid Parade Ball after-party will take place on the oceanic deck of the New York Aquarium, featuring members of the Coney Island Sideshow, burlesque performers (Little Brooklyn, Creamy Stevens, Lefty Lucy, Kat Mon Dieu, Princess Pat, Fem Appeal, Nasty Canasta, and Miss Dixievon Trixie), mermaids (Bambi the Mermaid, Julie Atlas Muz, Sita Lange, and Sasha the Fire Gypsy), live music (the Moto-Wrays and Labretta Suede and the Motel 6), go-go dancers (LaMaia, Mary Cyn, Dangerrr Doll, Evelyn Vinyl, Sarah Hassan, Celia Next Time, Fifi Dupree, and Marni Halasa), hula-hoopers (Justina Flash, Cosmic Swirl, and Sasha Fire Gypsy), magicians (Danny T, Gary Dreifus, and Lee Alan Barrett), the Gotham Synchro-Synchronized Swim Team, and other bizarre participants and activities.