Saturday, January 10, 2015

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

My favorite event of the year is the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. It's a fabulous time celebrating life, art and beauty. The Parade is organized by a group of artists in New York. It is attended by joyful people basking in the sun near the beach.

I've been going to the Parade every year for the past four years. I attend with my friend Jamie who's a skilled photographer and we shoot hundreds of pictures. I post them on the blog.

After watching from the sidelines, I made a promise to myself last year to march in this year's Parade.  It is on the first Saturday in Summer (June 20th). Everyone makes their own costume, so I need to get started with that. I'm developing costume ideas.

There are three categories of costumes: mermaid, merman, and sea creature. I decided on sea creature since I'm not cute enough for mermaid. Any suggestions?!

BTW, did you know that the mermaid is the favorite icon of transgender girls? It appeals to us, early on, in a visceral way.


 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

23 comments:

  1. If I were to be invited to go, I have to say, I would want to go as an Ursula type octopus woman. Because she's amazing. And I'm amazing. ;-)

    There is an episode of H2O: Just Add Water where they have a beauty pageant and the girls all have to pick out fish or sea creatures to go as. That might give you some inspiration! It's also a TV show about mermaids...

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  2. great idea!
    and the best: many, many costume options. just take a book about sea life and dream away...... can´t wait to see you in your costume!
    xx

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  3. I think you are more than cute enough to go as a mermaid ... that would be your chance to really dress in something covered in bling!!!!

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  4. LOVE THIS!!! It all looks so fun and exciting!!! Jellyfish is my first thought, you could make it shiny and sparkly :)

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  5. America has so many wonderful parades and holidays, we don't anything like it..I want to experience these things one day. :)

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  6. Ah, what a wonderful thing! I've never even seen or heard of it, thanks for sharing these photos with us!

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    -Kati

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  7. This is so cool. I'd love to see this parade. And to see you in it! I think you *should* go as a mermaid, but if not that, then a brightly colored tropical fish!

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  8. That totally looks like something I would go to, or even be in! I am excited that you are going to participate! I don't see why you can't be a mermaid---just think of the great wigs you can try :) And you could make a tiara of seashells and pearls.

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  9. The underwater world is FULL of amazing inspiration. Manta rays are currently my favorite. They're like water puppies. DH and I went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg on our first anniversary and they have a petting pool. Those guys are super friendly!!

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  10. The mermaid parade looks like so much fun - I would love to go to it one day. Did you know that we have a live underwater mermaid show in Weekie Wachee near Tampa? I used to go as a kid - it's pretty cool :)

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    1. Yes! I've seen pictures and interviews of it. Very cool.

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  11. You could totally be a mermaid!! But it would be a shame for you to cover up those gorgeous legs!!

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  12. Those are great mermaids. But my heart's with the shrimp.

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  13. This looks so fun and colourful! I don't think we could hold something like this where I live - it's all far too serious here!

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  14. Popped over from Suzanne Carillo's blog. Love that there is a mermaid parade! I had no idea... I always thing jellyfish are so pretty swimming and could make for some cool costumes if one wasn't too literal...

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    1. Welcome! Nice to meet you. The Mermaid Parade is wonderful.

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  15. I'll be there! And I'm very excited. 😄

    If I come up with any creature ideas, I'll let you know.

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  16. My first thought when I read that you'd elected the sea creature category was "tidepool critter!" Then, by coincidence, I saw my friend's blog post describing/labeling life in the tidepools on the Oregon coast. Her pics are fabulous, she's a rider, and has a cool little Fiat. Not sure if you're a follower or not, but here's the link to her post...

    You could totally be an anemone. A NINJA GREEN one. :-)

    http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2015/01/to-beach.html

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  17. I think its a great start! Then next year you can upgrade ;)
    It all depends on what you want, do you want for people to see you or just want to participate and have your face all covered ?
    Maybe a starfish ? a sea horse.. ?

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    1. I won't cover my face. Paint it, maybe, but not cover it.

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  18. I was first introduced to this tradition on the show Boardwalk Empire. It features strongly in the storyline. It is such a unique idea.

    I would have voted for mermaid but since you've already nixed that idea an octopus would be very cool.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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