NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Colorful floats and mermaid costumes overwhelmed the streets of Coney Island as hundreds of people braved the rain on Saturday to witness the 26th annual Mermaid Parade.
The Mermaid Parade is a unique celebration of Coney Island’s history and pride, and is the largest art parade in the nation. Participants flaunt their artistic self-expression by dressing in hand-made mermaid costumes and marching through the streets.
SEE PICS: Mermaid Parade 2009
“It’s the best event of the whole year,” said Darrell Wynn, a marcher with the Fairytale Express. “How could you not love it?”
Participants such as Wynn chose not to let the dreary weather interfere with the afternoon. For Amy Winn, a dancer with the Brooklyn Bombshell Revue, this was not the first year she had to march in less than favorable conditions.
“Once you’re in here and you feel the mermaid spirit… you’re like, ‘I’ve got to come back for more’,” said Winn. “This has been my third rainy year. The advantage to coming when it’s rainy is you get the people who really, really care about it a lot.”
After hearing the weather forecast, Winn admits she was concerned that not as many people would show up.
But there was no shortage of participants or parade-goers. Participants of all ages dressed in elaborate costumes and body paint and marched alongside equally ornate floats in this celebration of diversity.
“It’s the most creative, most energetic love… it’s love,” said Wynn. “It’s very diverse and I love that. I could go on and on about it.”
The parade concludes with the Mermaid Parade Ball, where participants gather to enjoy live music and burlesque and sideshow acts performed by some of New York City’s hottest names in the business.
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