Brooklyn Mermaid Parade

Brooklyn Mermaid Parade
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is a celebration of fantasy and free spirit, a glittering carnival where reality and fantasy merge into a magical vortex. This fairytale celebration annually lights up Brooklyn, Brighton and New York City, marking the unofficial start of summer and awakening the city from its spring slumber. On Saturday, June 21, a sparkling river of fantasy flowed along Surf Avenue and the golden edge of the waterfront - here was the 43rd triumphant parade, a celebration of sea dreams and unbridled creativity.
Mermaids of all genders, ages, and races marched through the streets and along the ocean, and alongside them was a fantastic army of sea creatures: rainbow fish, majestic crabs, emerald squids, scarlet lobsters, octopuses, and dancing sea creatures. All this turns the city and the neighborhood where I live and work into a living sea legend. And amid this splendor, an old, bitter question arises: how is it that, living on the shores of a generous ocean, we feed New Yorkers fish from distant China?
So, the mermaid parade is not just a procession, it is an exciting hymn to sea mythology, a grand art parade where the elements of unrestrained fantasy reign and the spirit of creative freedom triumphs. Here, both participants and spectators seem to weave a necklace of glittering jewelry, shining smiles, airy tulle, intricate crowns, shimmering patches, elegant shells, rainbow body art, mother-of-pearl beads, fringe trains and often - almost complete or partial nudity before the elements. And many, including me, like it, because we live in a great city!
At the head of this multifaceted procession walked a charismatic handsome man in the image of the formidable Neptune and a dazzling beauty - the Mermaid Queen, as if descended from the pages of ancient legends. Nearby were heard the fearless voices of "No Kings", fiery drummers, a whirlwind of dancers, the tireless Coney Island Polar Bear Club and the legendary "mayor" of Coney Island. Among this sea of faces - both heroes in dazzling costumes and those who proudly bared their bodies to the sun and sea breeze.
And as always, the valiant New York police invisibly but reliably protected the holiday, and the mounted officers on their majestic steeds seemed to have stepped out of old paintings.
Of course, a beautiful addition to the parade was the fabulous procession of magnificent retro cars, shining silver and chrome in the sun's rays. And many are already looking forward to when, again, but next year, they will become part of this amazing sea fairy tale, attracting to New York not only city residents, but also admiring guests from all over the world.
Marina Lagunova