Scenes from the 2011 Mermaid Parade

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade... I go every year and I just love it! It felt so amazing to return to Coney Island on Saturday, June 18th, since my last visit in June 2010 for last year's parade. I used to go lay out on the beach every weekend with my friends back in the Summer of '08, but these same friends moved away and I haven't been back as much since. Then Astroland closed down in September of '08 and we all thought that would be the end of Coney Island. But it is still thriving, thanks to the new Luna Park and various flea markets occupying the former fair grounds.

It was vey crowded, but I didn't mind. This is a magical, historical place and it's important to me to try and visit every year that I live in New York. The only other day when it's this crowded is on the 4th of July during the hot-dog eating contest. Believe me, I've been!!

This year, I vowed to walk in the parade for next year (maybe as a Hula Girl?) and to also return to the park again this summer to ride some of the new Luna Park amusement rides. But not on July 4th...


Golden Girl


Dancers


Ice Skater float


My friend calls the man below, "The Guy" because he always
sees this guy around the City at festivals, parades, shows, etc.


Got a kick out of these guys: "Life of Pi"


Sorry, no naked Mermaid pics. I'm a chick so...

Brooklyn's where it's at: Coney Island Mermaid Parade

It's been two years since I've been to Coney Island - man I feel old. And I remember seeing signs last summer for The Mermaid Parade that takes place every year in June, and I was too lazy and afraid to go—But this summer I decided to go no matter what, even if I had no one to go with. Who goes to Coney Island alone!? me.

I took a local N train there. Who cares if it takes a whole hour, it's so awesome to look out the window and see the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and all of Lower Manhattan when you're above ground in a train.

I got there and my camera captured as much as it could.

Things are gonna get real colorful!

*Update on 6/22/09: I realize I do not have any pictures in this post of the actual parade. Fail.

That famous ride... what's it called??? Cyclone!


I bought a ticket for this ride then chickened out and never rode


The mega famous Ferris Wheel... what's it called?? The Wonder Wheel!!


Dantes Inferno


Swingsets


The very romantic Merry-Go-Round


The ride I almost died on, for $5.00

Coney Island's Mermaid Parade

Since most of my photos from the Mermaid Parade are of topless people (yeah, it was frightful and yeah, there were lots of kids there), I'm going to share some photos of Coney Island and the area/aura of the famous parade.

This parade has been going on for years—since 1983—and happens every year towards the end of June, rain or shine. This year, there was rain. And it was cold. And windy. Whereas last year it was beautiful and warm and bright and sunny. I went with some friends and a fellow photo-taker and ran into some of our other photo friends while there. This is a great event for photography lovers, not because it is a parade—it is not just any parade—it is an outrageous spectacle, an excuse to dress even crazier than you would on Halloween, and a gaurantee that there will be jaw-dropping sights.

Again, most of my photos of the participants contain nudity (they are mermaids, after all), so here are some other pics from the outing!

A rainy view of Coney out of the Q train window



the crowds by the subway station



Lots of guys show up for this event...



Ha! It says, "Free Willie Nelson"



More from last year: here

Coney Island: Inappropriate

The Mermaid Parade is like Halloween in the summer, and an excuse for women to walk around nearly naked and for men to cross dress!

This woman was wearing nothing but a thong and paint


Superhero


very inappropriate Superheroes


my favorite cross-dresser - he had the sexiest legs and gold strappy shoes I've ever seen!



staring at me and creeping me out


almost showing bare ass


grabbing mermaid ass, which is a little better

Broadway in Bryant Park

Every Thursday throughout this summer, Bryant Park will be hosting Broadway in Bryant Park out on the lawn behind the New York Public Library. This past Thursday, songs from The Little Mermaid, 9-5, Toxic Avenger and Pure Country were performed. I love every one, especially Toxic Avenger! 

You can get a sandwich from 'wichcraft, pull up a chair and take in the view (of both the Bryant park stage and beautiful Manhattan above the park's trees).

Here's their calendar for this summer's performances.

The crowds and a view from behind the stage

Allison Janney and crew performing a song from 9-5

View of the Empire State Building (34th & 5th) 

Coney Island: It wouldn't be possible without the people

a mermaid without a fin




future middle school bully, high school jock and frat meat head

Bubble Battle 2011

Luckily, I have a friend with lots of bubble guns, wands and bottles. These items were called for at the 2011 Bubble Battle which took place out on Coney Island, the same day as the Mermaid Parade. So my friends and I watched the parade, got some franks, then prepared to duel.

But it wasn't so much a battle as a medium-sized crowd simply blowing bubbles and getting soapy water everywhere. Either way, we had a blast!