The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is asking for public donations to help ensure it can return this year.
Coney Island USA, the nonprofit that produces the parade, said it is facing an “urgent financial crisis,” and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for this summer’s event.
What You Need To Know
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is raising money through a GoFundMe campaign as its organizer, Coney Island USA, faces an urgent financial crisis
Organizers say factors including rising production costs and less funding have made it difficult to stage the annual event
The parade, founded in 1983, is a kickoff in the Coney Island Beach and Amusement District and draws thousands of costumed participants
Organizers said factors including rising production costs and less funding have made it harder to put on the parade.
They also pointed to a difficult winter and their successful efforts to oppose a proposed casino in the neighborhood as added strain.
“Without immediate support, one of New York’s most iconic and beloved summer traditions for over 40 years could disappear,” the fundraising page says.
The Mermaid Parade, an annual tradition that began in 1983, is among one of the country’s largest art parades and serves as a kickoff to the summer season in Coney Island.
It was created to honor Coney Island’s historic Mardi Gras celebrations, which ran from 1903 to 1954.
In a statement, Coney Island USA’s artistic director, Adam Rinn, said the event remains free to attend, but is expensive to produce.
“If you’ve ever participated in the Mermaid Parade, if you’ve ever been a spectator, you know how much fun it is. If everyone who’s attended the parade just once, donated just $1, we’d be all set,” Rinn said.
In past years, about 3,000 costumed participants have marched along the boardwalk, joined by marching bands, drill teams, antique cars and colorful floats.
The parade was last canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.