June 23, 2022
Coney Island Mermaid Parade Features Fun Branded Merch
The colorful parade was back after two years of COVID cancellations – with revelers celebrating the 40th year of this Brooklyn tradition.
Thousands of vibrant underwater creatures seemed to wash up on the Coney Island shores on Saturday, June 18. Despite the gloomy day in Brooklyn, the streets were filled with music, color and festivity.
@asicentral 2022 Coney Island Mermaid Parade 🧜♀️ Can you spot the promo? #coneyislandmermaidparade #promotionalproducts ♬ original sound - Disney
The glimmering crowds marched from Surf Avenue to Steeplechase Plaza like gaudy schools of fish. The 40th Mermaid Parade, a summer celebration of art and mythology, was back for the first time since 2019, following two years of pandemic-related cancellations.
The event attracted vendors, artists, musicians, activists and partiers across the five boroughs in what is known as the largest art parade in the nation. It featured Mermaid Parade merch including T-shirts, tank tops, tote bags, pins and magnets.
Street vendors took advantage of the crowds to sell an array of products, including live turtles, friendship bracelets, pride flags, balloons and bucket hats. The official gift shops featured Coney Island Mermaid Parade merch, which mainly consisted of shirts and tote bags with various aquatic designs. The shops also sold branded flasks, posters, pins, mugs, hats and magnets.
Thousands of marchers and attendees came decked out in costumes, most of which were handmade. Streets were flooded with antique cars, motorized floats and marchers sporting fishnets, bright wigs, seashells, flippers and fins. One marcher wore a dazzling headpiece with seashells, starfish and peacock feathers, a gold beaded necklace and body chain, a shimmering red mermaid tail and a matching cape. He danced around in 6-inch platform boots, appearing as if he was on stilts.
“The vibes are amazing,” attendee Elena Borghi told gothamist. “You can feel the energy. This is something about New York; I think that the energy is real, you can touch it almost.”
The Mermaid Parade was founded in 1983 with the goal to elevate esteem for Coney Island, a place usually disregarded as an entertainment hub. It also brings mythology to life for locals who reside on streets like Mermaid or Neptune, and provides an opportunity for public, artistic self-expression. The parade has no ethnic, religious or commercial affiliations.
Each year, the event is put on by Coney Island USA, the resident not-for-profit arts center in Coney Island. It’s supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and was co-presented by the Coney Island Brewing Company this year.
At the conclusion of the parade, attendees celebrated the opening of the ocean for the summer swimming season with an official beach ceremony, and the Coney Island Brewery held an afterparty.
Prideful and free-spirited energy pulsated as music played and people danced down the streets of Coney Island on Saturday. It was a testament to people’s excitement for in-person events – and a colorful reminder of the power of branded merch and promo products.