The Mermaid Parade in New York City's Coney Island is like a cross between Mardi Gras and Christmas: The huge crowd wears wild and outrageous costumes, and the marchers in the parade are either naughty or nice.
Technically, the divide is between the "family-friendly" and "artistic" portions of the parade in the historic amusement area, according to organizer "Cowboy" Bob Rutan. But during the latter half of the day, the sea-themed outfits tend to leave much less to the imagination.
"It's a parade of open expression," said Rutan. "It's always fun and wild. We love the creativity that shows up."
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Mermaid Parade 2011
Parade watchers are just as likely to play dress-up as the characters on the floats near the famous boardwalk and they're often in ensembles related to current events. Last year, Gulf oil spill outfits were a big hit.
It's easy to guess what newsmaker will be parodied at the 28th annual parade on Saturday, June 18, Rutan said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some take on the name Weiner," said Rutan. "[Congressman Anthony Weiner] is a New York politician and he made the news in dramatic fashion. Not to mention, Nathan's hot dogs are out here in Coney Island."
But for some dedicated participants, it's too late to alter the costumes and floats they've been building for months to have some fun with the disgraced politician's sexting scandal.
"I'm making a kind of gypsy boat and we'll be working on it right up til the end," said Kate Dale, who's well-known in the sideshow world of Coney Island for her pink outfits and ceramic dog named Fifi that's a mascot on her floats each year.
Dale, who works in the Julliard School's prop shop during the day, has been using an underground space after work in the Lincoln Center arts building to build her enormous float.
After 20 years of parades, Dale still gets sentimental thinking back on her early visits to what's known as "the People's Playground."
"I remember the first time I saw somebody put a nail up his nose. I remember the first time I saw somebody eat fire and it made me happy," said Dale. "I said, 'This is for me.'"
Marni Halafa, a professional ice-skater and devotee of many New York City parades has been strutting at the Mermaid Parade for eight years for sentimental reasons of her own.
"The fact that I can fulfill my childhood fantasies of being a mermaid is great," said Halafa, who's been trying to strike the right balance of ostrich feathers and sequins in her rendition of an Arctic mermaid.
Her elaborate costume has been in the works for weeks at a shop in Manhattan's Garment District.
"I'm always looking for the ultimate performance experience," said Halafa. "I don't understand why more people don't do what I do."
For more info, visit the website of Coney Island USA, which stages the event.
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