1. 30,000 People Show Up For The Zany Festivities
The Mermaid Parade is not just any parade; it’s the largest creative parade in the country. This year’s 43rd annual event on June 21, 2025, brought together thousands of participants and spectators, drawing around 30,000 spectators and about 3,000 participants, it’s a massive gathering of artists, performers, and fans. This scale makes it a unique platform for showcasing DIY art and performance, setting it apart from commercial parades with corporate floats. Its size and energy reflect the spirit of Coney Island’s artistic community, making it a must-see summer tradition for New Yorkers and visitors alike. This event’s magnitude also highlights how art can bring people together in public spaces, transforming a boardwalk into a lively stage.
2. Neptune and Queen Mermaid Crowned
This year’s parade featured a fascinating choice for its royal figures, with Eugene Hütz, the Ukrainian-American frontman of Gogol Bordello, crowned as King Neptune. His eclectic style and musical background added a dynamic flair to the role. Alongside him, Queenie Sateen, an adult film star, made history as the first porn star to be crowned Queen Mermaid, highlighting the parade’s inclusive and boundary-pushing nature. Their selection is a symbolic moment that honors those who embody the parade’s ethos of artistic freedom and celebration of individuality.
3. Wild DIY Costumes Eveywhere
One of the parade’s most captivating features is the explosion of homemade costumes. Participants come decked out in everything from pearl and jellyfish crowns to octopus suits, and even a full-body Statue of Liberty mermaid. These costumes showcase incredible craftsmanship and creativity, often made from recycled materials or found objects, embodying the parade’s DIY spirit. The diversity of costumes adds to the parade’s visual spectacle, making it a feast for the eyes and a source of inspiration for aspiring artists.
4. Body Paint Takes Center Stage
Many marchers chose to forgo traditional costumes, instead opting for full-body paint that transforms their skin into shimmering scales and sea creature patterns. This choice highlights the parade’s embrace of body art as a form of creative expression. Glitter, vibrant colors, and intricate designs turn participants into living canvases, blurring the line between costume and art. Body painting also allows for a more fluid and personal interpretation of the mermaid and ocean themes. This artistic approach adds a unique and intimate dimension to the parade’s visual narrative.
5. Mer-Pets Charm the Crowd
The parade isn’t just for humans; mermaid-themed pets stole the spotlight with their adorable outfits. Dogs sporting seashell harnesses and toddlers dressed as tiny mermaids brought a heartwarming, family-friendly vibe to the event. These mer-pets add a playful element that resonates with spectators of all ages. Including pets in the parade emphasizes its community spirit and inclusive atmosphere. It’s a reminder that creativity and fun can be shared across generations and species, making the Mermaid Parade a joyous occasion for families and animal lovers alike. The sight of these charming mer-pets adds an extra layer of delight to the festivities.
6. Marching Bands Bring the Beat
The Mermaid Parade’s soundtrack is as eclectic as its costumes. Marching bands brought a unique fusion of styles, mixing surf-rock brass sounds with punk and undersea-inspired vibes. This musical blend created a lively and unpredictable atmosphere that kept the crowd energized and engaged throughout the procession. The bands’ performances added a rhythmic pulse that matched the parade’s playful and rebellious spirit. Music at the parade isn’t just background noise, it’s a vital part of the experience that amplifies the creativity on display. The choice to feature diverse genres reflects the parade’s inclusive ethos and its roots in counterculture.
7. Festival Meets Protest
Since its founding in 1983, the Mermaid Parade has been more than just a party. It was created to democratize art and provide a platform for creative freedom accessible to all. Today, it still carries that spirit as part festival, part protest. The event challenges conventional norms, encouraging boundary-pushing performances and expressions that celebrate individuality and social commentary. This dual nature makes the parade a powerful cultural statement. It’s a joyful gathering that also reminds us of the importance of artistic freedom and community empowerment. The parade’s roots in activism give it a meaningful edge, making it a space where fun and purpose swim side by side.
8. Floats & Costumes Are the Show
Unlike many parades, the Mermaid Parade proudly avoids corporate sponsorship and commercial floats. Instead, every float is a homemade masterpiece, crafted with love and imagination. From rolling sponge-painted whales to antique cars decked out with fins and sea motifs, the floats are a testament to the parade’s DIY ethos. This approach keeps the parade authentic and community-driven. It invites participants to get hands-on, turning ordinary objects into extraordinary displays of creativity. The floats’ handcrafted charm adds warmth and originality, making the parade feel like a giant collaborative art project rather than a commercial spectacle.
9. Beach Procession Finale
The parade doesn’t just end on the boardwalk, it culminates with a procession to the beach. After marching along Surf Avenue, participants follow King Neptune and Queen Mermaid to the ocean, symbolically opening the summer season. This beach finale connects the parade’s themes to the natural world, celebrating the sea that inspires it all. This ritual is a beautiful way to close the event, inviting everyone to embrace the spirit of summer and the ocean’s magic. It also reinforces the parade’s ties to Coney Island’s unique seaside culture. The beach procession is a communal moment that blends art, nature, and tradition in a memorable send-off.
10. NYC’s Wild First Day of Summer
The Mermaid Parade is more than just a colorful event, it’s New York City’s way of kicking off summer with style and spirit. Despite the 80-degree heat, the crowd was lively, cheering and dancing along the route. The parade even featured satirical nods to public figures, like a marcher dressed as a caricature of Andrew Cuomo, adding a humorous edge to the festivities. This playful irreverence captures the parade’s spirit, fun, creative, and a little bit cheeky. It’s a chance for the city to celebrate itself with humor and heart, embracing the start of summer with open arms. The parade’s energy and spontaneity make it a beloved tradition that truly feels like a city-wide celebration.
This story 10 Outrageous Things You Saw at NYC’s Mermaid Parade Last Week was first published on Daily FETCH
