CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) — New York City’s beloved Mermaid Parade is at risk as its organizers face a “financial crisis.”
Coney Island USA, the nonprofit that’s hosted the decades-old summer tradition, is struggling to afford the parade after a costly year, organizers said. They say they need over $6,000 to continue.
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“Coney Island USA is facing a serious financial crisis after a harsh winter and an exhausting fight to protect the neighborhood from a proposed casino development,” organizers said in a post to Instagram. “Without urgent support, the 2026 Mermaid Parade may not happen.”
Each year, New Yorkers dress as sea creatures and march along Surf Avenue, brought to life by music, costumes, colorful floats, and a beach ceremony. The parade was created in 1983 to celebrate the creativity and artistry of Coney Island.
“This isn’t just a parade. It’s artists, families, performers, and a piece of New York culture that has made millions of people smile,” organizers said.
The tradition has faced funding challenges in the past. Organizers raised funds to put on the parade in 2013 and again in 2017.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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