The Coney Island Mermaid Parade began in 1983 as an imaginative, grassroots celebration of Coney Island’s unique cultural heritage. Created by Dick Zigun—often affectionately called the “Mayor of Coney Island”—the parade was conceived as a vibrant alternative to traditional festivals, drawing inspiration from the Mardi Gras parades of early twentieth-century Coney Island. Zigun’s vision was to offer local residents an opportunity to transform everyday street life into a fantastical, art-infused celebration that embraced mythology, self-expression, and community pride.

The parade was designed with three clear goals in mind. First, it sought to “bring mythology to life” for communities in a neighborhood already steeped in nautical lore, with streets named for legendary figures like Mermaid and Neptune. Second, it aimed to bolster self-esteem in an area often dismissed solely as an entertainment district. And third, it provided a platform for New York’s diverse artists and creatives to showcase their work in a public setting free from commercial or political constraints. Over time, these objectives have resonated with thousands, turning the parade into the unofficial kickoff of summer in New York City.

Over the decades, the Mermaid Parade has grown both in scope and cultural significance. What started as a modest local event now draws around 3,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators, making it recognized as the nation’s largest art parade. Despite challenges—such as nearly being canceled in 2013 due to financial shortfalls following Hurricane Sandy and having to pivot to a virtual format in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic—the parade has consistently rebounded, embodying the enduring creative spirit and resilience of the community.

With a dedication to imaginative costumes, handmade floats, and a raucous, celebratory atmosphere, the Mermaid Parade has not only become a symbol of summer but also an emblem of Coney Island’s artistic and counter-cultural legacy. It continues to inspire creative expression and civic pride among New Yorkers, drawing participants from all walks of life to one of the city’s most distinctive neighborhood celebrations.

There’s much more to explore about the parade’s impact on local businesses, its role in community activism, and how its aesthetic has influenced other cultural events in the city. Would you like to dive deeper into any of these aspects?