CONEY ISLAND — Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso presented Coney Island USA with a $20,000 check that was allocated to officially give the nonprofit organization the money needed to host the 44th annual Mermaid Day Parade next month.
Reynoso committed to saving the beloved Brooklyn tradition at his 2026 State of the Borough Address.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso presents a check to Coney Island USA to ensure the Mermaid parade. Photo: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s office
“The Mermaid Parade represents the most creative parts of Brooklyn,” he said during the check presentation outside of Coney Island USA on May 20. “When I heard that the parade was in jeopardy, there was no question about stepping in to save it. Thousands of artists, creatives and everyday Brooklynites have kicked off the summer by marching in the parade for over four decades, and losing it would have been a devastating loss for our borough.”
Earlier this spring, the organization posted on its social media pages that due to financial troubles, this year’s parade may be canceled. A GoFundMe page was also set up to help ensure that the parade continues as scheduled. It raised $42,453. It also received a $25,000 sponsorship from Comic Con.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso presents a check to Coney Island USA to ensure the Mermaid parade. Photo: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s office
“As the producers of the Mermaid Parade, we’re so grateful to Borough President Reynoso for jumping in to help support the parade financially,” said Adam Rinn, director of Coney Island USA. “I think I can speak for the thousands and thousands of marchers, fans and spectators when I say that the parade means so much to so many people of Brooklyn and beyond, and that we all laud the Borough President as the true hero of this year’s parade! The nation’s largest art parade will live on in the best place in the world, Brooklyn.”
It was also announced this month that musicians Jesse Malin and Rickie Lee Jones will be the parade’s king and queen. The parade will be held June 20.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso presents a check to Coney Island USA to ensure the Mermaid parade. Photo: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s office
The parade starts at 1 p.m., rain or shine, on West 21st Street and Surf Avenue. It rolls east to West 10th Street, where the marchers and push-pull floats proceed to the Boardwalk and continue their march to Steeplechase Plaza, under the Parachute Jump, where the parade will disband.
“I am so proud to be able to close the gap for Coney Island USA to ensure that the Mermaid Parade lives on for another year, and I hope that the parade marches on for many years to come,” Reynoso said.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso presents a check to Coney Island USA to ensure the Mermaid parade. Photo: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s office