It's that time of year again to dust off your mermaid scales & throw
on your captain's gear, it's time to head to the beaches of Coney
Island!
This year Coney Island celebrated it's 30 year
anniversary of the Mermaid parade. If you are unfamiliar with the New
York's famous art parade, let me give you some background. The Mermaid
Parade, founded in 1983, pays homage to the forgotten Mari Gras of Coney
Island- which lasted from 1903-1954. It's honestly the perfect way to
celebrate the start of the summer season, with the sand between your
toes, the sweet salty air & mermaids waltzing down the boardwalk.
To start the day I woke up early for a Saturday to ensure parking
when I reached my destination in Coney Island. Leaving Philly at around
6:30 I arrived in Brooklyn around 8:30, with barricades for the parade
already being set up for the 2:00 start time.
(Just a sidenote: If you
are coming from out of town be sure to get there early, there will
seriously be NO parking if you try and come into town after 9AM!).
Getting there early was definitely a smart thing and gave me time to
relax and meet up with a few friends I have in the area. We headed
down to Surf Ave. at around 11ish and people were already beginning to
line the streets hoping to get the best seat in the house for the parade
with the occasional passing of a glittery mermaid.
As the parade start time approached the crowds came, it was
literally a sea of blue, green mermaids, mermen, pirates, men dressed
like mermaids even a few burly sailors…you name it, someone was probably
dressed like it. Being it was so hot out we decided to set up in the Coney Island Freak Bar to have a few drinks before the parade started. There we chatted, browsed through Coney Island Gift shop & museum(I'm sure you all remember the museum from the last Sourpuss Catalog shoot) and watched the crowds grow outside & inside.
At 2:00 we perched ourselves up on the boardwalk to watch the
lavish, quirky & some just out right ridiculous costumes go by. It
is definitely a sight that everyone needs to experience at least once,
if not every year, of their life!
Words can only explain so much, so
be sure to bring a camera. Another sidenote if you're looking for
some great pics, head to the end of the parade route. There you can get
one on one pictures of all of your favorites, it's not very crowded and
you get to see some of these amazing costumes up close.
The parade started coming to a close around 4, but the party doesn't
end there. Every year there is an after party down the street at the
NYC aquarium. Unfortunately, even though I had tickets in hand, I had
to head back home for the evening.
Even though I did not make the Ball this year it was an amazing time
& highly recommended for everyone to make plans for this event next
year. No date for 2013 yet, but it is normally held around this time
every year. You can always check out
www.coneyisland.com for more info too.
Jasmin Rodriguez, also known as Vintage Vandalizm, is an avid collector
of vintage dresses, blogger, and is known for her style. Also an
artist and aspiring designer, her philosophy on fashion has no boundaries,
but takes inspiration from the 40s, 50s, and 60s pinup style.
