June 22 – Mermaids on Parade!

nPosted on June 22, 2019

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n(Saturday closest to summer solstice)
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Today, the largest art parade in the U.S. is marching and rolling down the streets of Coney Island, marking the beginning of summer and honoring…mermaids?!
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There’s a little chunk of Brooklyn, in New York City, that lies along the beach. A boardwalk and amusement park rides and fun fair food can all be found there. That’s Coney Island…

nThere’s a street on Coney Island named Mermaid Avenue; perhaps the parade theme comes from that? 
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nAt any rate, there is a King Neptune and Queen Mermaid wheeled over the parade route in an antique wicker rolling chair. Marching bands, floats, and antique cars make up part of the parade, but there’s also around 1,500 participants who dress up as mermaids, mermen, lobsters, seahorses, and other marine creatures! These are handmade costumes, so the variety of materials, concepts, and artistry is huge!
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nThe parade ends at the beach, which is ceremoniously “opened” for the season.
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nMermaid Lore
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nStories about mermaids go back to ancient times. Check out this website for the probable basis for such tales! 
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Painting by John William Waterhouse, 1900

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nAlso on this date:

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