This is the 6th year I have attended and photographed the annual Mermaid Parade on the boardwalk by the ocean at Coney Island. Every year it is becoming larger and a little more difficult to negotiate through. I spent my time at the exit area for paraders, as you can see in my attached video. An entire city block is closed off, and with paraders milling about, it is much easier to mingle with and photograph parade participants. My favorite parade – highly recommended.

The weather was beautiful and there was lots of creativity as usual, but in Part 2, I will reveal this year’s Pièce de Résistance…

See my complete Flickr gallery of parade photos here.

Previous Mermaid Parade posts: Mermaid Parade 2006 P1, Mermaid Parade 2006 P2, Mermaid Parade 2007 Part 1, Mermaid Parade 2007 Part 2, Mermaid Parade 2009, Mermaid Parade 2010, Mermaid Parade 2011 Part 1, Mermaid Parade 2011 Part 2