Mermaids, mermen, nonbinary ad fluid folk plus celebrants of every description lined Surf Avenue in Coney Island yesterday.
Our amazing all-over-town photographer pal Ruben Natal-San Miguel took a break from covering Pride to make the scene at The 41st Annual Mermaid Parade. It went from West 21st and Surf Avenue, east to West 10th street before looping around to the boardwalk.
Parade organizers said on their website,
It opens the summer with a true celebration of incredible art, NYC’s entrepreneurial spirit, and our community pride.”
A beach ceremony also marked the start of the official summer swimming season on Coney Island.
The Mermaid Parade claims to be the nation’s largest arts parade. This year it honored hip-hop legend Kool Keith as its king, and city Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo as its queen.
