Brooklyn Mermaid Parade to return in-person after year on lockdown

(Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

By Curtis Brodner

(NEW YORK) Organizers say the 39th annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island will take place in-person this year, reported the Brooklyn Paper. A virtual version was held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The arts festival should take place around late summer or early fall, according to Dick Zigun, the founder of the Coney Island USA non-profit.

The Mermaid Parade usually draws about 600,000 people to revel in elaborate costumes and festivities.

Zigun says Coney Island USA isn’t aiming to beat their record this year, but hopes a significant portion of Brooklyn will be vaccinated by the point and will feel comfortable in a large group setting.

“The past couple of years, if it doesn’t rain, we’ve been averaging 800,000 people,” Zigun told the Brooklyn Paper. “In my opinion, a teeny parade of 400,000 people would be ideal.”

The organizers are cognizant of the risk that the festival could pose if done wrong. They say that if infection rates rise they’ll call off the parade and have moved back the date from June 19th.

The date will also be dictated by the dates of other large parades and events. The New York Police Department couldn’t oversee both the West Indian Day Parade and the Mermaid Parade on Labor Day, for example.

Zigun expects the organization will announce the details, including the date, on April 29 during an online benefit event.

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