The 34th annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade returns to the neighborhood next weekend in all its colorful and gloriously scaly splendor.
The June 18 parade will run from 1 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Marchers will begin on West 21st Street and head down Surf Avenue, onto Coney Island's boardwalk and beach.
"King Neptune" Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carlo A. Scissura and this year's "Mermaid Queen" model Hailey Clauson will lead the 2016 parade.
Scroll below the route map to find a few important things to know for the day of the parade:
► The parade is for everyone, young and old. But bear in mind that a lot of people will be dressed up like mermaids and mermen ... so there isn't going to be a lot of clothing on some participants. There will, however, be plenty of body paint and glitter, so most things will be covered, just not necessarily by clothing.
► If you'd like to judge the floats in the parade, you can become a member of Coney Island USA. The level that you'll need to join in order to judge is "Big Spender," which costs $200. That level of membership comes with various perks including a great view of the parade from the viewing stand, a snazzy judge T-shirt and discounts to burlesque shows and the Coney Island gift shop.
After the Parade:
► Follow the king and queen of the parade along with the founder of the Mermaid Parade through the MCU Park Parking Lot and onto the beach. The procession will "open" the ocean for the upcoming summer swimming season at Coney Island.
► Though the parade was followed by the Mermaid Ball in pervious years, there will be no ball this year. The official website of the Mermaid Parade encourages visitors and mermaid enthusiasts to party at The Freak Bar afterwards.
